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About Christopher

Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. He runs MuniNetworks.org as part of ILSR's effort to ensure broadband networks are directly accountable to the communities that depend upon them. More

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jason-bird-explains-how-princeton-kept-jobs-in-community-with-publicly-owned-fiber-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 22, 2013

Jason Bird Explains how Princeton Kept Jobs in Community with Publicly Owned Fiber Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/jason-bird-explains-how-princeton-kept-jobs-community-publicly-owned-fiber-network

Jason Bird is the Electrical Superintendent at the city of Princeton Utilities in Illinois. He joins us for the 30th episode of our Community Broadband Bits Podcast to explain why Princeton built a rather unique network. Princeton has built a fiber network to connect some of the local businesses and uses broadband over power lines… Continue reading

taking-advantage-of-chairman-genachowskis-gigabit-challenge
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 22, 2013

Taking Advantage of Chairman Genachowski’s Gigabit Challenge

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/taking-advantage-chairman-genachowskis-gigabit-challenge

On Friday, I wrote a harsh, quick response to FCC Chairman’s Genachowski’s so-called gigabit challenge announced in a guest column on Forbes. Since then, I have learned more about the 1 Gbps Challenge and I have to reiterate my frustration with it. We need the Chairman to reduce barriers to community-owned networks, not just recognize… Continue reading

comcast-brags-about-lack-of-broadband-competition-in-america
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 21, 2013

Comcast Brags About Lack of Broadband Competition in America

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/comcast-brags-about-lack-broadband-competition-america

The next time you hear someone claiming that the broadband market in the U.S. has plenty of competition, remember this statement from Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. And so each of the last two years, we have had modest increases in the cost of the broadband service, and yet we’ve had tremendous sales. We’re 33%, 31%… Continue reading

goliath-regulator-asks-for-more-davids
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 18, 2013

Goliath Regulator Asks For More Davids

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/goliath-regulator-asks-more-davids

In a column published today, Chairman Genachowski explains why the U.S. Needs ‘Gigabit Communities.’ It starts off with an accurate observation… Walking the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show last week, I kept thinking of that line from Jaws, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.” All the Internet-connected, data-hungry gadgets that are coming to… Continue reading

susan-crawford-captive-audience-and-how-to-kill-the-cable-monopoly
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 15, 2013

Susan Crawford, Captive Audience, and How to Kill the Cable Monopoly

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/susan-crawford-captive-audience-and-how-kill-cable-monopoly

Susan Crawford, author of the just-released Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age, is our guest for the 29th episode of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. A former adviser to President Obama, she has been a leading figure in the struggle to preserve an open Internet. Susan has long… Continue reading

susan-crawfords-captive-audience-book-reviewed
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 13, 2013

Susan Crawford’s Captive Audience Book Reviewed

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/susan-crawfords-captive-audience-book-reviewed

I quickly read the just-released Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age, and came away quite excited by Susan Crawford’s new book. Susan Crawford has been supportive of community owned networks and a loud voice against the poor policies that have allowed a few massive cable and telephone companies… Continue reading

verizon-begs-regulators-for-protection-while-demanding-deregulation
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 9, 2013

Verizon Begs Regulators for Protection While Demanding Deregulation

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/verizon-begs-regulators-protection-while-demanding-deregulation

From the “A Pox on Both Your Houses” files, Verizon is squaring off against greedy landlords in New York City as it tries to fix lines damaged by Superstorm Sandy. In short, Verizon needs access to the common areas of the multi-dwelling units (MDU or industry-speak for apartments) to fix or upgrade the lines. Verizon… Continue reading

high-speed-geek
ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 9, 2013

Where in America Can You Get Gigabit Internet?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/america-gigabit-internet/

High Speed Geek, January 9, 2013 Gigabit internet is awesome. And elusive. Gigabit ethernet speed is equal to 1,000,000,000 bits per second or 1,000 Mbps. For comparison: “fast ethernet” is considered to be 100 Mbps, which is still much faster than standard internet service that’s normally 10 Mbps (like the kind you’d get from Time… Continue reading

exciting-upcoming-events
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 9, 2013

Exciting Upcoming Events!

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/exciting-upcoming-events

If we want to protect the open Internet and expand access to fast, affordable, and reliable connections, we need to organize. There are few better ways to organize or get inspired than in-person events with great speakers and time to chat with others. I will be at both Freedom to Connect and the National Conference… Continue reading

community-broadband-bits-28-bruce-kushnick
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jan 8, 2013

Community Broadband Bits 28 – Bruce Kushnick

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-bits-28-bruce-kushnick

If you think the United States cannot afford to take a fiber optic cable to just about every home in the country, you might be surprised to find out that we have already paid for it. We just haven’t received it. Our first podcast guest in 2013, Bruce Kushnick of the New Networks Institute, explains… Continue reading