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 design/deploy FTTH; the local ISP is suing to stop them.)

Ross Currier, blogger from Northfield, has helped answer that question. He wrote a post earlier this week remarking that Northfield has been looking into fiber as a public utility – but since that’s the root of the Monticello lawsuit, he suggests a wait and see policy.

Most folks consider the lawsuit in Monticello to be unfounded – but the impact is clearly spreading.

The comments on the blog post are also interesting. It seems as if there is a need for improvement in Northfield but that readers understand the need for a financially conservative approach.

(Northfield received funding from Blandin for an open access feasibility study. Last I heard they were moving forward and looking for someone to help spearhead the study.)