If only this were happening a week later, I could attend. It looks like a great event…

“The Imperative Need for Big Broadband: The Future Is Now”

The focus of this conference is on the future. Where is broadband headed? What is the best path for helping communities find their own broadband future? How much broadband capacity should communities seek? What should be the public role in meeting the broadband challenge? What can cities do? What will be the contribution of the private sector players?

Keynote Speaker:

Jim Baller will speak on “Broadband in the Years Ahead: A White Paper”
Jim Baller is a leading voice in the broadband arena who has been a consistent champion of communities wishing to find a better broadband future for their residents. He speaks and writes regularly about the key issues of the day and his web log is an invaluable tool for all who want to inform themselves about breaking developments. Question and answer to follow.

Conference sessions will focus on:
Leaders discussing the lessons learned from Monticello and Windom (invited) projects about launching a municipal fiber optics network

Getting the economics right—the key to a successful fiber build featuring

Doug Dawson, CCG Consulting,
Ralph McGinley, Oppenheimer and Co.
Gary Evans, President, Hiawatha Broadband Communications

Closing Session:
Open Forum on Minnesota’s Digital Future
E-Mail Pre-Registration: $30.00 (includes lunch)
Payment only on day of conference (check or cash)

RSVP: Matt Schmit at mschmit@umn.edu or 612-626-0545

Sponsors:

Telecommunications and Information Society Policy Forum
Hiawatha Broadband Communications
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
Oppenheimer and Company
Regional Broadband Task Force