Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Oct 5, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/ohio-legislation-threatens-rural-landline-phone-service
Once again, consumers must fight to preserve their landline telephone service. This time, the Ohio General Assembly is pondering legislation that can end traditional service for up to 1 million Ohio residents. Our readers know about the efforts of ALEC and AT&T to drastically reduce their obligation to provide landlines across the country. Up to… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Sep 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/fcc-chairman-genachowski-once-again-praises-muni-broadband
Just this week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski highlighted the success of Chattanooga at a speech at VOX Media and SBNation on Winning the Global Broadband Race. From his speech (the entire speech in PDF format is available here): First, as we said in our National Broadband Plan, we need “innovation hubs” with ultra-fast broadband, with… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Aug 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/verizon-and-big-cable-win-competition-loses
Once again, we are witnessing the federal government allowing a few massive telecommunications companies to collude rather than compete. Verizon is about to ally itself with major cable companies, to the detriment of smaller competitors in both wireless and wireline. One of the reasons we so strongly support the right of communities to decide locally… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Aug 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/humboldt-county-requests-veto-california-alec-bill
The California Legislature recently passed SB 1161 (dubbed “California’s Worst Telecom Bill Ever”) and the bill is on the Governor’s desk. Utility reform group, TURN, and the New America Foundation are two groups that have opposed this ALEC supported bill from the start. We reported on it in June and shared with you how it… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 27, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/forthcoming-project-washington-state-illustrates-complexity-community-solar/
Colorado just launched their long-awaited community solar gardens law (program subscribed in 30 minutes) and California is progressing on a virtual net metering law that could remove one of many roadblocks to community solar. But the Vashon Community Solar Project in Washington State shows that doing solar community-style hasn’t become easy. The Vashon project will… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Aug 26, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/verizon-wireless-busted-violating-network-neutrality
In December, 2010, Verizon Wireless began operating its network via C-Block spectrum with licenses it acquired in the 2008 auction. In keeping with net neutrality rules unique to C-Block usage, Verizon agreed long ago that it would not block or limit consumers’ ability to tether on their 4G LTE network. Tethering allows a consumer to… Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 22, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/clean-programs-feed-in-tariffs/
Few policies make renewable energy production easier than CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) Programs, also known as feed-in tariffs. The basic premise is to require utilities to buy renewable energy from individuals or businesses on long-term, fixed price contracts at prices sufficient to encourage them to invest. The most robust policies span multiple technologies… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Aug 21, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/unions-and-dsl-customers-verizon-knocks-out-two-birds-one-stone
If you are a current or potential Verizon customer, by now you know that you no longer have the option to order stand alone DSL. When the business decision became public knowledge in April, DSL Reports.com looked into the apparent step backward and found existing customers were grandfathered in but: However, if you disconnect and… Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 17, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/virtual-net-metering/
Net metering is a common distributed renewable energy policy in the United States, allowing individuals to “turn back” their meter (and reduce their electric bill) by generating on-site electricity. But utility accounting systems typically prevent people from sharing the output from a single, common solar or wind project. Virtual (or group or neighborhood) net metering… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Broadband
| Written by
Lisa Gonzalez
|
| Updated on
Aug 8, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/wall-street-lack-competition-allows-comcast-raise-prices-whenever-it-wants
A major difference between Main Street and Wall Street is that we view Comcast’s lack of competition as a major problem. The prospect of Comcast increasing our rates year after year makes us want to scream. Prepare to scream. Or throw things. The Lafayette Pro-Fiber Blog alerted us to a piercingly honest analysis from Wall… Continue reading
