Unbuffered

For this week's Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] podcast, we are trying a discussion/debate format between myself, Christopher Mitchell, and Ryan Radia, Associate Director of Technology Studies at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. We have debated previously and prefer a style of seeking to flesh out the argument rather than merely trying to win it. We start by … Continue reading "Local Governments and Internet Access Debate – Community Broadband Bits Episode 185"

★ Support this podcast ★

For this week's Community Broadband Bits podcast, we are trying a discussion/debate format between myself, Christopher Mitchell, and Ryan Radia, Associate Director of Technology Studies at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. We have debated previously and prefer a style of seeking to flesh out the argument rather than merely trying to win it. We start by discussing the role of incumbents in limiting competition and what might be done about it. Next we move to bandwidth caps. On both of those points, we have pretty significant disagreement. We finish by discussing the role of conduit and poles, where we have some agreement. If you like this show, please do let us know and we'll try to have more in this style. The transcript from this episode is available here. We want your feedback and suggestions for the show - please e-mail us or leave a comment below. This show is 22 minutes long and can be played below on this page or via iTunes or via the tool of your choice using this feed. You can can download this Mp3 file directly from here. Listen to other episodes here or view all episodes in our index. Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music, licensed using Creative Commons. The song is "Warm Duck Shuffle." Community Broadband Bits Episode 185 - Ryan Radia of Competitive Enterprise Institute Debate on Role of Local Governments

The Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC) has its first local chapter with the formation of CLIC-NC. Catharine Rice, who is both part of CLIC-NC and the Project Director for CLIC, explains what is happening on episode 184 of the Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] Podcast. We remind listeners what CLIC is and the goals of CLIC-NC … Continue reading "North Carolina Organizes for Local Internet Choice – Community Broadband Bits Episode 184"

★ Support this podcast ★

Given all the exciting events of 2015 and our hopes for 2016, we decided to do another year end / year beginning show that looks both backward and forward. Unfortunately, our timing did not allow for Lisa to join us in the recording, but Christopher Mitchell is joined by communications staff at the Institute for … Continue reading "Thoughts on 2015, Predictions for 2016 – Community Broadband Bits Episode 183"

★ Support this podcast ★

As we noted in a preliminary story last week, the city of Lincoln has crafted a collection of conduits allowing greater competition for advanced telecommunications services. As we discuss this week in episode 182 of the Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] podcast, they have also crafted a smart policy to continue expanding the conduit system. To better … Continue reading "Conduits Lead to Competition – Community Broadband Bits Podcast Episode 182"

★ Support this podcast ★

When Hudson, Ohio, businesses couldn't get the connectivity they needed from the incumbent cable and telephone companies, the local government stepped up to provide what it calls a “service” rather than a “utility.” Hudson City Manager Jane Howington joins me this week to explain their approach in Episode 181 of the Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] podcast. … Continue reading "Hudson Adds Velocity to Help Local Businesses – Community Broadband Bits Episode 181"

★ Support this podcast ★

Eleven months ago, we noted the incredible energy in the Maine Legislature around improving Internet access. Maine State Representative Norm Higgins joins us this week for Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] Podcast episode 180. Rep. Norm Higgins, a newcomer to the Legislature, pushed hard for legislation to encourage municipal open access networks as well as removing barriers … Continue reading "Maine House Representative Pushes for Better Internet Access – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 180"

★ Support this podcast ★

Local governments in New Hampshire are quite limited in how they can use public financing to invest in fiber optic networks, but Hanover is exploring an approach to create voluntary special assessment districts that would finance open access fiber optic networks. Town Manager Julia Griffin joins us for Community Broadband Bits Episode 179 to explain … Continue reading "Local Internet Improvement Districts in New Hampshire – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 179"

★ Support this podcast ★

A few weeks back, Colorado voters overwhelmingly chose local authority and community networks over the status quo Internet connections. Approximately 50 local governments had referenda to reclaim authority lost under the anti-competition state law originally called SB 152 that CenturyLink's predecessor Qwest pushed into law in 2005. This week, Virgil Turner and Audrey Danner join … Continue reading "Colorado's Unique Environment of Local Collaboration – Community Broadband Bits Episode 178"

★ Support this podcast ★

Carole Monroe is back on Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] for Episode 177 this week, to discuss the East Central Vermont Fiber network and its unique financing model. Carole is now the General Manager for EC Fiber. She previously joined us for episode 36 to discuss FastRoads in New Hampshire. And we previously discussed EC Fiber with … Continue reading "Self-Financed EC Fiber Continues to Grow – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 177"

★ Support this podcast ★