We have added a new sector to the Information Policy Area – Open Source / Open Standards. The first rule in this new sector is a recent resolution from Vancouver that will increase local government use of open standards, open source, and open/accessible data.

Open standards, open data, and open source are all important ingredients for locally self-reliant communities in the modern era. Continue reading

Lafayette, Louisiana is one community among hundreds that are building publicly owned, broadband networks to ensure their community with thrive in the 21st century.  They fought years of legal battles and are now deploying one of the fastest networks in the country — and keeping prices affordable.

Their Chamber of Commerce supported them throughout and is now finding ways that they will be able to leverage the network.  Being accountable to the community, that owns it, the network is open for innovative ideas.  The network is not yet finished, but the Chamber is starting meetings to spur innovation. Continue reading

We just added a new rule to our database – Saint Paul, MN, is building a robust core network to meet its telecommunications needs (as well as those of the schools, state, and county in town.

Theshort story is that the city wants to build a core network to replace the deficient Comcast Institutional Network that currently offers the city its connectivity.  However, the City Council passed a resolution to ensure that the network would meet future needs, not just present needs.  This wisely leaves the door open to future decisions that would allow the network to be expanded, bringing ultra-high-speeds to anyone in the City.

At this point, the City Council has not suggested it would do that, but it is looking toward the future with this network rather than remaning dependent on a private company for essential services.  Read the rule and background here. Continue reading

Cory Doctorow, a strong proponent of network neutrality explains not just why we must preserve the Internet as it is, but also why we have the authority to do it.  Some Internet Service Providers want to choose what sites their subscribers can visit – and at what speeds.  

Take filtering: by allowing ISPs to silently block access to sites that displease them, we invite all the ills that accompany censorship – Telus, a Canadian telcom that blocked access to a site established by its striking workers where they were airing their grievances. Around the world, ISPs co-operate with censorious governments in their mission to keep their citizens in the dark: for example, ISPs in the United Arab Emirates are blocking access to stories about a UAE royal family member who was video-recorded torturing a merchant with whom he had a business dispute.

Continue reading

"Community Owned Networks Benefit Everyone," an article written by Christopher Mitchell to explain why community networks are the only means of spurring true competition in the broadband cable television sector, appeared in the Spring 2009, NATOA Journal. Continue reading