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businesses-lining-up-for-service-in-longmont-ftth-build-out-studied
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 13, 2013

Businesses Lining Up for Service in Longmont, FTTH Build-Out Studied

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/businesses-lining-service-longmont-ftth-build-out-studied

In January, Longmont Power and Communications (LPC) announced they would begin connecting businesses located within 500 feet of the existing network. As we reported, local businesses were chomping at the bit to get hooked up and enjoy the high-speed next generation network. Even without efforts at marketing or advertising, more businesses have added themselves to… Continue reading

100AnnGRULogo
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 2, 2013

Florida City a World Leader in Solar: Episode 8 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/florida-city-world-leader-solar-capita-episode-8-local-energy-rules/

“It’s the only time I’ve done a rate increase when nobody was opposed,” says Ed Regan of the Gainesville utility’s feed-in tariff for solar power.  The program, launched in 2009, has resulted in nearly 15 megawatts of new, local solar energy generation on or near buildings in the northeast Florida town, enough to make it… Continue reading

opelika-alabama-testing-new-fiber-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 26, 2013

Opelika, Alabama, Testing New Fiber Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/opelika-alabama-testing-new-fiber-network

We spoke with Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller in episode 40 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast and learned all about the community’s FTTH project. Local residents and businesses decided to go beyond the substandard services they received from Charter Cable and build their own municipal network. At the time of the interview, Opelika Power Services (OPS)… Continue reading

Photo of Christopher Mitchell by Glenn Ricart
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 22, 2013

Community Networks Gaining Traction Nationwide

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-networks-gaining-traction/

Christopher Mitchell, Director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative has been spending many hours on the road these days. Why? Interest in publicly owned broadband networks continues to grow as communities search for savings, economic development, and connectivity on the local level and more organizations seek out Chris’ expertise. From policy to implementation, ILSR continues to… Continue reading

in-florida-bartow-looks-to-build-community-owned-fiber-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 11, 2013

In Florida, Bartow Looks to Build Community Owned Fiber Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/florida-bartow-looks-build-community-owned-fiber-network

Bartow, Florida, located in Polk County near the center of the state, is considering a FTTH network for the community’s 17,000 residents. At a recent City Commission meeting, members decided to put city administrators on task and develop a plan to eventually offer triple play services to residents. Suzie Schottelkotte reported on the initiative for… Continue reading

emmetsburg-iowa-on-its-way-to-community-owned-fiber-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 10, 2013

Emmetsburg, Iowa, on its Way to Community Owned Fiber Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/emmetsburg-iowa-its-way-community-owned-fiber-network

Flash back to May 5, 1998 and the community of Emmetsburg, Iowa. This town of just under 4,000 people voted to establish a municipal cable communications or television system. It has taken fifteen years, but Emmetsburg is on the verge of joining the many other Iowa communities with municipal networks. Jane Whitmore of the Emmetsburg… Continue reading

cde-lightband-the-latest-1-gig-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 9, 2013

CDE Lightband The Latest 1 Gig Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/cde-lightband-latest-1-gig-network

What can you do with a gig? There is a residential customer in Clarksville, Tennessee, that knows. CDE Lightband, Clarksville’s municipal provider, recently began offering 1 gig service for $349.95 per month. The Leaf Chronicle recently reported that CDE Lightband also just signed on its first 1 gig residential customer. CDE Lightband offers triple play… Continue reading

santa-clara-uses-smart-meters-to-expand-the-reach-of-free-wi-fi
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 5, 2013

Santa Clara Uses Smart Meters to Expand the Reach of Free Wi-fi

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/santa-clara-uses-smart-meters-expand-reach-free-wi-fi

Smart meters aren’t just for electricity anymore. In Santa Clara, the city is now using the technology to bring free citywide outdoor Wi-Fi to the entire community. The Washington Post recently covered the story New smart meters, now being installed on homes, are primarily for electricity and water metering. The meters send usage reports via… Continue reading

Cost of Residential p.3
Article filed under Energy | Written by Wade | No Comments | Updated on Apr 4, 2013

Solar Costs and Grid Prices On a Collision Course

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/solar-costs-grid-prices-collision/

With the cost of solar continuing to fall rapidly (50% in the past five years) and electricity prices rising steadily, if slowly, the approach of solar grid parity is near. The following chart illustrates the trajectory of solar cost and electricity price, hinting at the coming intersection. 1 The chart compares the cost of a… Continue reading

fact-sheet-bb-101-feature
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 3, 2013

Broadband 101 Fact Sheet

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ilsrreleases-new-broadband-101-fact-sheet-2/

ILSR’s fact sheet is a reliable quick reference guide for policymakers and citizens. As discussion about the telecommunications landscape expands, language about broadband abounds. In order to make informed decisions without stumbling over terminology, ILSR has assembled some basic facts about broadband. This fact sheet is a great reference for anyone who may take up… Continue reading