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Columbus, Mississippi Schools and Municipal Utility Team Up for Student Connectivity After the Last Bell
School districts in both urban and rural communities are taking steps to help students stay competitive as technology becomes an integral part of learning. As they develop laptop programs, school districts must also contend with the problem of unaffordable, unreliable, and slow Internet access at students’ homes.
Community Broadband Media Roundup - September 30
Arizona
More data needed to bridge digital divide, expand high-speed Internet by Laurel Morales, Arizona Public Media
California
2019 Blandin Broadband Conference, Still Time to Make it to Nisswa, Minnesota
The Blandin Foundation will be holding its 2019 Broadband Conference in October at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, Minnesota.
Methow Valley Broadband Action Team Seeks Planning Proposals for Better Broadband in Central Washington
In central Washington, the Methow Valley, Okanogan County, and the Colville Confederated Tribes Broadband Action Teams (BAT) are teaming up to improve connectivity and shrink the digital divide across the Methow Valley. As part of the process the BAT has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for technical assessment and technical implementation planning to help them meet their goals.
Pack Your Bags for Great Lakes Connect in Wisconsin
There’s still time to register for the Great Lakes Connect Broadband Development Conference from September 30th to October 2nd! Join broadband leaders from around the region in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to discuss, “The Future of Digital Communities”.
Easthampton Voters to Decide on First Step to Muni this November
This November, voters in Easthampton, Massachusetts, will have the chance to grant the city the authority to establish a municipal light plant (MLP). If they pass the ballot measure, the community will legally be able to develop a publicly owned network.
The Takeaway Examines Libraries' Role in Bridging the Digital Divide
Before the Internet was an integral part of daily life, libraries were often places where people went to study, ready, or find a quiet corner. Things are different now and so is the role of the librarian. Libraries are now vibrant, busy places where people of all ages still turn for their favorite author or story time for the kids.
Mississippi Co-op Moving Forward on Fiber for Rural Members
Rural communities served by the North East Mississippi Electric Power Association (NEMEPA) should be enjoying high-quality Internet access from their co-op next year, if plans proceed as expected.
Radio Time: Brainstorming for Better Broadband in Humboldt County
On September 12th, Christopher appeared on Community Radio KMUD’s Forward Humboldt to discuss the connectivity situation in Humboldt County, California, with residents there. Humboldt County is one of the more rural regions in the state with heavily forested mountains and more coastline than other other county in California.
Remote Havasupai Tribe Connects With Community Network
Rural tribal communities in the U.S. struggle with some of the worst connectivity in the country. Decades of neglect have put them even farther behind other rural communities, many of which are moving toward community networks rather than depending on national Internet access providers.
Preston Rhea of MonkeyBrains: PG&E Failure Can Be San Francisco's Future
In early September, officials in San Francisco made an offer to purchase assets belonging to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
Help Us Celebrate Our 10th, Share Your Ideas for MuniNetworks
We recently realized that we’ve been sharing information, resources, and stories about publicly owned broadband networks for more than ten — TEN! — years. Our team has been so occupied helping local communities and working on projects, the anniversary went by without flowers, a cake, or a party.
NC Broadband Matters: Public Safety Needs Broadband for Maximum Effect
As people living in areas plagued by hurricanes deal with increasingly difficult storms this time of year, policy advocates consider the impact of broadband on public safety. In this article shared with us by NC Broadband Matters, author Fiona Morgan reports on connectivity as critical for first responders.
North Carolina Aims to Improve Mapping Data
A mapping method to accurately depict broadband coverage in the U.S. remains elusive. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that they intend to work on the issue but officials in North Carolina aren’t waiting.
Shutesbury Connecting Residents to Muni Fiber in Massachusetts
Community members in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, are now receiving fast affordable, reliable connectivity in their homes and businesses delivered via their publicly owned broadband infrastructure.
It's Happening and People Are Loving It
Christopher and Broadband Champions Talk Falmouth Fiber Future on Local TV
This summer, Falmouth, Massachusetts, released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a feasibility study for a community network.
Put D.C. on your Autumn Schedule, BBC Conference October 30, 31
Broadband Communities Mag has celebrated the unsung heroes of community broadband by sharing their stories so others can learn from local challenges and victories. This autumn, travel to Washington, D.C., to get noisy about those places implementing better connectivity in their communities without fanfare.