Monthly Archives: November 2008

November Blandin eNews

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Blandin Get Broadband CommunitiesHere’s the news from our latest newsletter. It’s mostly a compilation of Minnesota-related stories from the blog in the last month – but sometimes it’s nice to have it compiled. It includes a lot of media mentions of broadband in the different local elections. Bill’s Coleman’s Corner is especially good this month and details work happening in various communities…

Alexandria (and beyond)
Representative Colin Peterson’s rural goal to find a way to get more Internet broadband capability is mentioned in regards to his campaign in the 7th District. http://tinyurl.com/5twyez

Brainerd
Running for reelection, Representative John Ward mentioned that building in broadband infrastructure that will bring high-speed Internet services to all areas of Minnesota is one step to grow jobs. http://tinyurl.com/5v3e4a

Eagan
Representative Sandy Masin’s work to establish the state’s Broadband Task Force is mentioned in regards to her campaign for reelection. http://tinyurl.com/5j8v3y Broadband also comes up as an issue for candidates vying for the open City Council seat. http://tinyurl.com/68e78o

Hutchinson
Blandin Light Speed recipient, LCTN celebrates a year of IP TV with daily use of the videoconferencing technology. http://tinyurl.com/6dgp9u

Mankato
On the campaign trail, Representative Tim Walz says that the Government needs to help rural areas expand Internet access as it did years ago for electricity. http://tinyurl.com/6e96yv

Monticello
The City of Monticello celebrates the end of the lawsuit brought about by the incumbent telecommunication provider unhappy that the city decided to build its own FTTH network. http://blandinonbroadband.org/2008/10/15/monticello-ftth/

New Ulm
The Internet helps to promote the New Ulm Oktoberfest. http://tinyurl.com/5j3jab

Northfield
Northfield is hosting an Open House to introduce the general public to the consultants who will be deploying their Fiber Optic Feasibility Study. http://tinyurl.com/664pag

Plainview
Running for reelection, Representative Any Welti (30B) is connected with broadband initiatives in a local letter to the editor. http://tinyurl.com/6e96yv

Rochester
A blogging librarian in Rochester redefines the digital divide, “There is still a divide, however. This divide is in the availability of broadband access to the internet. What’s interesting is that many people – and most disturbingly, the people who are the decision-makers – don’t understand that this is happening.” http://tinyurl.com/5v3e4a

(Many stories are gathered from local online newspaper. Unfortunately each newspaper has a different policy in regards to archive news and therefore we cannot guarantee access to all articles cited.)

Coleman’s Corner

I want to provide recognition to those communities currently engaged in the Community Broadband Resources (CBR) Program. Through the Blandin CBR, organizations can apply for up to 32 hours of technical assistance to help them get organized, gather information, develop alternatives and implement strategies to increase access to and use of broadband. This flexible approach to assisting communities is proving to be extremely useful to the communities and very interesting work. Here is a sample of what’s happening…

Todd County> Following up on a telecommunications provider inventory and assessment conducted earlier, we helped the Todd County Development Corporation learn that the county is served by an interesting mix of nine different local exchange carriers and several cable television providers. One community in the county is exploring an exciting fiber partnership with an area provider, while another’s main priority is making sure that its new technology park is well connected.

City of Clearwater We helped the community conduct a community technology assessment of providers and end-users. This not only provided educational for the community but it seemed to help providers make Clearwater a priority. In fact, one provider announced the doubling of the community’s standard DSL speed on the day that we interviewed them and an area wireless provider proposed a new arrangement to place their equipment on one of the city’s water towers to improve coverage.

Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission A regional effort has sprung from the interest demonstrated by area counties. We are assisting the regional staff with an inventory of telecom providers, their staff is developing positive relationships with area sheriffs and other stakeholders who are implementing the 800 MHz public safety wireless network. An initiative to increase the region’s technology vitality by improving the skills of area web masters is also taking shape.

Lac qui Parle County The EDA has taken aggressive action on telecommunications and technology. Following a well-attended countywide meeting, the EDA has convened an active team to follow up on identified issues. The team includes city and county officials, health care providers and several telecom providers. The team collected more than 400 surveys at the Internet Café at the county fair and is planning next steps.

Each community has its own unique blend of telecom providers and end-users so the flexibility of Community Broadband Resources can be a real asset for communities seeking to increase technology vitality. The application is online and easy to complete. The key requirements are to have a sponsoring organization and a team (even a small one) ready to assist. Go to www.blandinfoundation.org/html/public_bb_cbr.cfm for complete information and to complete the application.

USF off the FCC table for tomorrow

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Earlier today the FCC took the Universal Service Fund discussion off the table for tomorrow’s meeting. Here’s what the Associated Press had to say about the move:

Abandoning the vote is a setback for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, one of three Republicans on the five-member commission, who had hoped to pass his proposal before power changes hands in Washington. Martin pulled the item from the agenda for Tuesday’s FCC meeting after mounting opposition from many corners of the telecommunications industry, consumer groups and Congress.

It looks like the White Spaces issue will still be discussed, which means some of us will still be juggling voting with watching the meeting. (Aargh!)

I have been wondering why the push. Well mostly, I’ve been wondering why the push with White Spaces. It seems as if the FCC is moving towards opening the White Spaces. It seems as if the expected change of administration is not going to change that focus. The USF is a different issue and I don’t know enough to speak on that topic. But I did run into a fun article earlier today on the prospective changes for telecos with a Democratic sweep tomorrow.

More hubbub on the FCC meeting on Tuesday

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Thanks to Bernadine Joselyn for sending me the article from Gov Tech (Members of Congress Urge FCC to Postpone Election Day Vote on Telecom).

Here’s the gist from the article:

On Tuesday, 61 Members of Congress signed a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stating that the FCC’s proposed order overhauling key portions of telecom regulation would dramatically restructure intercarrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund, result in higher costs to consumers and hinder broadband investment across the country. Members of Congress urged the FCC to postpone its vote and “put the full proposal on record and seek public comment for a period of at least two months.”

“With so much at stake, we are concerned that the Commission has not released the full proposal for public review and comment,” said the letter. “The public deserves the opportunity to provide fully informed comments…

It’s getting to a point where I’m expecting to see tabloid reporters at the FCC meeting on Tuesday. First, there’s the controversy surrounding the White Spaces issue and now this.

I don’t know a ton about this lastest news on the Universal Service Funds (USF). Three members of the MN House Delegation also signed the letter: Congressmen Oberstar, Peterson and Walz, all from rural districts.

I know that the USF has been instrumental in getting broadband to schools, libraries and hospitals in the past. I know that it is often mentioned as a key to promoting universal service in the future. I also know that with the advent of telecommunications triple play and blurred industry barriers (among traditional telcos, wireless, and cable) that the USF bears looking into, Finally I know that if it’s worth looking into it’s worth doing right.