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johnson-city-teams-up-with-bvu-authority-for-broadband
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 29, 2012

Johnson City Teams up with BVU Authority for Broadband

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/johnson-city-teams-bvu-authority-broadband

We have been watching Johnson City, Tennessee, examine its options to improve broadband options in their community using extra capacity from fiber-optic investments for smart-grid implementation. Johnson City has been looking for a partner that would offer services to local businesses and perhaps residents. We were concerned about that approach as a private-sector partner may… Continue reading

wally-bowen-open-wireless-is-essential-infrastructure
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 29, 2012

Wally Bowen: Open Wireless is Essential Infrastructure

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/wally-bowen-open-wireless-essential-infrastructure

Once again, we are reprinting an opinion piece by Wally Bowen, founder of the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network based in Asheville, North Carolina. The op-ed was originally published in the Asheville Citizen-Times. Once upon a time, Internet enthusiasts made the following comparison: the Internet is to 21st-century economies what navigable waterways and roads were… Continue reading

the-future-of-the-internet-by-tnr-and-vint-cerf
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 27, 2012

The Future of the Internet, by TNR and Vint Cerf

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/future-internet-tnr-and-vint-cerf

In a recent editorial (May 24 issue), The New Republic argued that the Obama Administration was doing a decent job on Internet policy and obliquely referenced an article discussing carrier opposition to community broadband. The op-ed begins, Politicians aren’t always especially thoughtful about, or even familiar with, information technology. George W. Bush used the term… Continue reading

senator-lautenberg-asks-fcc-chair-about-muni-broadband-barriers
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 26, 2012

Senator Lautenberg Asks FCC Chair About Muni Broadband Barriers

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/senator-lautenberg-asks-fcc-chair-about-muni-broadband-barriers

Free Press caught and isolated an excellent question from Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to FCC Chairman Genachowski during recent hearings. The Senator notes that many Americans do not have sufficient access to broadband but 19 states have enacted barriers to make it harder for communities to build their own. FCC Chairman said he thinks innovative… Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on May 25, 2012

Everything You Wanted to Know About Private Equity

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

The hottest phrase on the campaign trail right now is “private equity”.  Mitt Romney made his hundreds of millions as head of Bain Capital, a major private equity firm and insists the company has created jobs and improved the efficiency of the American economy.  President Obama just as strongly insists that Bain and other private… Continue reading

thurman-new-york-white-space-test-case
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 25, 2012

Thurman, New York – White Space Test Case

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/thurman-new-york-white-space-test-case

Thurman, New York, like many other rural communities, has little or no access to broadband. Many of the 1,219 residents still use dial-up. According to a recent town survey, less than 25% of the population has connections that could be described as high-speed. Thurman, however, will soon be tapping into an uncommon source for connectivity… Continue reading

EURO__4propertyGaleriebild__gross
Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on May 24, 2012

The Euro and Local Self-Reliance: A Flashback

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/euro-local-self-reliance-flashback/

In May 1998 the European Union voted to adopt a single European currency.  A few days later David Morris set down his thoughts about that momentous decision from a local self-reliance perspective.  Fourteen years later, as Greece and Europe revisit the costs and benefits of the Euro, we thought it appropriate to offer that column… Continue reading

more-information-about-community-wireless-approach-in-mount-pleasant-dc
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 24, 2012

More Information about Community Wireless Approach in Mount Pleasant, DC

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/more-information-about-community-wireless-approach-mount-pleasant-dc

We previously noted a grassroots wireless initiative in Mount Pleasant that the Open Technology Institute is assisting and we are now cross-posting more details that they recently published. Thanks to Preston Rhea, who published this interview with one of the first volunteers to install a node. I recently wrote about a local effort to build… Continue reading

electric-cooperatives-expand-broadband-in-missouri
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 23, 2012

Electric Cooperatives Expand Broadband in Missouri

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/electric-cooperatives-expand-broadband-missouri

Rural electric cooperatives were essential to expanding electricity throughout rural America after private sector business models overwhelmingly failed to electrify our farms over many decades. Electric coops embody the spirit of local community and local concerns. Cooperatives often have decades of experience with project planning and implementation. We have seen electric coops use their own… Continue reading

stone arch and power line
Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 23, 2012

An Energy Switch, Waiting to be Flipped

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/energy-switch-waiting-flipped/

Minneapolis Star Tribune – May 23, 2012 Minnesota spends more than $20 billion a year on energy — primarily importing polluting fossil fuels — and the state’s utilities typically lobby against decreasing our dependency. This hampers our economy and harms our environment. Fortunately, cities don’t have to rely on the Legislature to stand up for… Continue reading