I just noticed that our own Bernadine Joselyn is a featured speaker at an upcoming TISP meeting – as is Dick Norvold.

I think it will be a great opportunity to learn more about Open Networks, which can be an innovative way to bring broadband to a community. I’ll paste the full invitation below.

Telecommunications & Information Society Policy Forum
HHH Institute of Public Affairs, Roy Wilkins Room (215)
301 19th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
February 28th, 2007, 4:00 to 5:00pm

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “Open Networks: A Possible Model for Minnesota?”

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Bernadine Joselyn, Director of Public Policy, Blandin Foundation
Dick Nordvold, Iron Range Community Fiber Network

In Europe, “Open Networks” have emerged as a successful model for helping technology-savvy communities delivery ubiquitous high speed broadband to their residents. The UTOPIA network in Utah is the only operating Open Network model in the US, but a similar model is currently under consideration on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. Blandin Foundation’s Public Policy Director, Bernadine Joselyn, will discuss the Foundation’s interest in promoting Open Networks, and representatives from the planned Iron Range Community Fiber Network will review the 13-community project they are working on. Come learn more about this model and join what we hope will be a lively discussion of this innovative approach to achieving next generation broadband.

SPECIAL GUEST HOST: Steve Kelley, Past Senator, State of Minnesota

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Please RSVP to tisp@umn.edu or Jake Granholm at

The Idea Behind this forum is simple and essential: purposeful exchange on key issues with engaged stakeholders to create a better information future.