Comments on: More Monticello

By: Monticello fiber update « Blandin on Broadband

Monticello fiber update « Blandin on Broadband — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:35:21 +0000

[...] city’s commitment to avoid the use of taxpayer dollars did not anticipate an 11th hour lawsuit by TDS that made the proceeds from the revenue bonds unavailable by freezing the money at a critical time [...]

By: Monticello ripple in Northfield « Blandin on Broadband

Monticello ripple in Northfield « Blandin on Broadband — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:21:04 +0000

[...] ripple in Northfield I’ve been wondering about the impact the recent Monticello lawsuit would have on other communities interested in installing fiber. (In short, Monticello started to [...]

By: Bill Coleman

Bill Coleman — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:41:06 +0000

TDS’ response in Monticello is not at all surprising. When communities approach providers for service improvements, some providers will respond that the communities do not need the service or that there is insufficient demand to support the service. When the community finds another provider, themselves or a competitive provider, suddenly the incumbent finds the resource or discovers that there is a market.

In this case, Monticello has actively been seeking advanced services, especially for their significant industrial and commercial businesses, for several years with interest from incumbents. Now TDS suddenly finds the resources for Monticello.

The lesson here is for other TDS communities – if you want similar improvements in your community from TDS, do not sit passively and wait for your turn in TDS’ capital budget. Get your community organized and develop your own plan for a municipal network. That will help get their attention and move you up the priority list!