A Promising Model for Expanding Internet Access in Rural Vermont

Date: 24 Jun 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

With the exception of a handful of homes in the more densely populated communities of St. Johnsbury and Newport, the only choice for most folks living in the rural environs of the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont is between DSL and satellite. That’s all changing now thanks to one of the state’s nascent Communication Union Districts (CUD), enabled by a 2015 Vermont law that allows two or more towns to join together as a municipal entity to build communication infrastructure.… Read More

The Secrets Behind Partnerships to Improve Internet Access

Date: 14 Jul 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A growing number of US cities have broken up monopoly control of the Internet marketplace locally. They’re promoting entrepreneurship, and giving residents and businesses real choice in how they connect and reach new audiences. They’ve brought a new wrinkle to an old model: the public-private partnership. “Communities desperately need better Internet access, but not all local governments … Read More

P3 between Westminster and Ting is “Community Broadband Innovative Partnership of the Year”

Date: 10 Sep 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) recently named the public private partnership (P3) between the City of Westminster, MD and Ting Inc. as 2015’s “Community Broadband Innovative Partnership of the Year.”  NATOA will officially honor the partnership at their Community Broadband Awards ceremony in San Diego this week. In a press release NATOA praised … Read More

Public Private Partnerships: A Reality Check

Date: 26 May 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

When Westminster, a community of 18,000 in rural Maryland, found itself with poor Internet access that incumbents refused to improve, it decided to join the ranks of a growing trend: public-private-partnerships between local governments and private companies to invest in next-generation Internet access. They are now working with Ting – one of a growing number of private sector … Read More

Public or Private Ownership? Community Broadband Bits Episode 132

Date: 6 Jan 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Ever since the last time I spoke with Blair Levin on Episode 37, I have wanted to have him back for a friendly discussion about public or private ownership of next generation networks. Though Blair and I entirely agree that local governments should be free to decide locally whether a community broadband network investment is a … Read More