Gigabit Nation

Broadband can be abysmal, even in average income urban areas, if you have policymakers, service providers, journalists and community stakeholders who confuse availability with access. Arkansas State Senator Linda Chesterfield explains the difference, and why this difference matters to broadband adoption. Sen. Chesterfield, at a recent Delta Regional Authority broadband summit (skip to 5hr, 45min), spelled out in chapter and verse that having Internet access available has limited value if the people who need it can’t access it. She expands on this message by explaining to listeners how stakeholders can enable various constituents to not only get online, but also be more productive once they get there. In rural US communities such as those in the Mississippi Delta region, getting access is not an easy challenge. However, Sen. Chesterfield offers powerful insights to other broadband advocates to help them overcome these hurdles.

While we labor to get broadband into more communities to improve economic development, education, and the business of government, have we overlooked how broadband is changing the way we choose our government?  If we are going to endow broadband with great powers to transform communities, we certainly have to examine the technology's role in shaping government at all levels. Kristal High, Editor-in-Chief of Politic365, addresses politics, technology and national technology policy. She gives listeners an understanding of how increasing broadband deployments and adoption may impact the electoral process. Michael Snook, CIO for Progressive Change Campaign Committee, gives us a peek under the covers of one of the more successful advocacy groups this election cycle. PCCC used Internet technology to impact several aspects of campaigning in a host of House and Senate races. Our guest tackle several pressing questions, including:  will increasing and improving broadband infrastructure in low-income and rural comm

Quite a few utility companies, particularly those privately-owned, seem to be dragging their feet when it comes to upgrading technology that runs their infrastructure. However, tropical storm Sandy and other major natural disasters in recent months reveal communities cannot allow these heads to stay buried in the sand.  Broadband has a lot of potential to impact smart grids’ ability to improve disaster preparation and response. Two industry experts present this case. Todd Q. Adams, an energy technology veteran and expert in sustainability, facilitates public awareness and community education forums for advanced energy and water management initiatives. Seyi Fabode is co-founder of Power2Switch, a website that educates consumers about retail electricity and enables electricity customers to comparison shop for electricity providers and save money on their electric bills.  Our guests help listeners understand in layperson’s terms what communities and their utility companies need to do influence useful changes.

The Internet connection for this broadcast failed 35 minutes into the show. We couldn't revive the feed. Kevin has agreed to come back at a later date to complete the interview. Be on the look out for Part 2 of our interview. With the increasing drive by communities to get better broadband networks in their areas, there is likewise a growing interest in creating cooperatives to move these projects forward. How do communities create co-ops that ensure the best interests of constituents and their partners are served? Kevin Larson, Gen. Manager of the Minnesota telephone co-op Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), helps listeners understand the key elements of successful co-op business strategy. CTC is involved with several projects within the state. Questions addressed in this interview include: What are some successful building blocks if a community is considering starting a new co-op? How can existing telephone co-ops expand into, or increase the size of, broadband services Will the FCC’s transition of

In community broadband planning, you can't always get what you want. But if you are flexible sometimes, you just might find you get what you need. With apologies to the Rolling Stones, this pretty much sums up recent events in Sibley County, MN. Winthrop, MN city administrator Mark Erickson provides some insights on Sibley's roller coaster ride to broadband, and how to keep stakeholders focused so they can quickly transform challenges into new and better opportunities. Originally, Sibley was going to be part of a major two-county fiber project. Things changed, the county opted out of the relationship, farmers switched tack to form their own fiber co-op and now they continue to press forward with broadband. This update from Erickson and our analysis of Sibley's efforts is helpful for all broadband stakeholders who experience the many trials and triumphs of herding cats into the digital future.

OpenAirBoston (OAB) does great work getting low-income and other underserved constituents online and making productive use of broadband technology. Their efforts received a major boost from an NTIA broadband adoption stimulus grant. But what happens when the stimulus money is used up? OAB Chair Deb Socia describes the array of adoption programs that OAB has enabled, and some of the creative ways the organization has made every dollar work harder. One of their most recent initiatives involves using crowdfunding (via Citizinvestor) to finance a program that bridges the digital divide for blind children. She also discusses other new ideas OAB has to ensure ongoing sustainability of their many initiatives. Listeners involved with all types of adoption programs will benefit from the tips and insights Socia shares with us.

The Mississippi Delta region of the U.S. represents some of the biggest opportunities and challenges for broadband adoption. Needs here are great, but meeting those needs through broadband technologies will lead to a renaissance in the area. Chris Masingill, Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), joins us in this broadcast coming from Memphis, TN to discuss the progress DRA's eight member states are making with broadband. He highlights key improvements in job creation, education, business development and other key areas.  Pick up some valuable insights to help with your projects. This show also preps listeners for the Delta Regional Authority Broadband Summit on Tuesday (10/23) where host Craig Settles is leading two panels. You can catch it live on the Web too - http://www.livestream.com/connectartv.

Touted as "a major economic development engine," and finishing on time as well as on budget, the Three Ring Binder 1100-mile broadband project in Maine is open for business. Learn the secret to this project's success. Josh Broder, President of Tilson Technology Management, gives listeners a peek behind the curtains. Communities of all sizes can learn valuable lessons from today's interview. Tilson Tech spearheads the Three Ring Binder project that covers over 110,000 households, 600 schools and other institutions, and 38 government facilities in some of America's most rural communities.  Three Ring Binder is one of many broadband stimulus success stories. A number of Maine businesses and organizations have signed up for network services, and others are getting into the queue.

In partnership with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Gigabit Nation host Craig Settles conducted a national survey of IEDC members and others affiliated with IEDC. The primary goal was to get a snapshot of how broadband impacts local economic outcomes. A secondary goal was to gather some insights to leveraging broadband as an economic development asset. This special call-in show allows listeners to chat with Mr. Settles about what these survey results mean to those building and operating community broadband networks. Broadband's role in creating ecnomic outcomes, the economic impact of broadband speeds, lack of competitiion, funding and other hot botton issues are discussed. Call in. Talk. Listen. Learn.

As broadband stimulus projects wind their way toward network launches, there does not appear to be much news about broadband progress on tribal lands. Gigabit Nation shines some light on one particular project that is representative of successes in this area. Jeff Anspach is CEO of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ Economic Development Corporation. He has started the Warm Springs Telecom Company (WSTC) to address the lack of adequate infrastructure on the reservation that has been an impediment to economic development over the years. Anspach, joined by WSTC Chair Sylvester “Sal” Sahme, gives listeners an update on their stimulus project, while providing tips and recommendations for others who are leading similar projects for tribal communities. Of particular value is his advice on securing grant funding from various sources to drive infrastructure and adoption projects in these communities.     

Most local broadband projects involve a lot of cat herding. But when it comes to tackling statewide projects, that’s similar to riding herd on the whole zoo. Jessica Dent joins us to share some experiences and offer insights to keeping stakeholders statewide focused and on the same page. She has served as the Executive Director of ConnectingALABAMA since April 2010, and continues to lead the Alabama Broadband Initiative. Those involved with broadband projects at all levels will benefit from today’s show. Besides exploring some of the nuts and bolts aspect of managing broadband projects, listeners also pick up some economic development pointers. As the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Liaison, Ms. Dent also is involved with broadband initiatives that impact local and regional economies.

Today we only have two interviews as things wind down here in Dallas. 1:00 CST - The Network Doctor Is In Hiawatha Broadband CEO Gary Evans provides listeners with a valuable set of practical tips and recommendations for keeping your broadband network humming along with minimum downtime. Non-techies and techies alike will benefit from this discussion on smart network management. 2:00 CST - Mozilla Seeks Gigabit Trailblazers Will Barkis is Gigabit Evangelist for Web tool developer Mozilla, and he's on a mission to find the next generation of screamin' apps that will power the highspeed networks showcased here at the conference. Barkis explains the Mozilla Ignite program, and why developers and other broadband stakeholders should get on board.

1:00 CST - The Smart Economics of Smart Grid and Broadband Katie Espeseth, Vice President of EPB Fiber Optics, discusses the origins of Chattanooga's fiber network as a economic development engine. EPB's initial goal was to use the network to modernize their smart grid and thus save their business customers collectively $80 - $100 million/year. That's just one of the benefits. Listen and learn about the others. 2:00 CST - Small Town Produces Big Time Results with Fiber Net With 10 years of successful operations, Kutztown, PA is one of the muni broadband success stories highlighted at the FTTH Council conference, Frank Caruso, the town's Dir. of Information Technology, explains how they impact the local economy through services to businesses and residences. 3:00 CST - UTOPIA - Setting the Record Straight Todd Marriott, Executive Director of Utah regional community network UTOPIA, sets the record straight on progress expanding their infrastructure. Contrary to recent news stories, UTOPIA continues to expand

Gigabit Nation is coming to you live from Dallas at the FTTH Council annual conference. These interviews give you a feel for some of the many sessions and activities going on here. 1:00 CST - How Broadband Impacts Economic Development Ken Demlow, Nat'l Business Dev Manager for NewCom Technologies, discusses some of the effective tactics that make broadband an effective economic engine for rural and urban communities. He also provides some insights on how network design factors in to the economic development strategy. 2:00 CST - Lafayette Broadband Rocks! Frank LeDoux, Engineering, Power & Communications Manager for Lafayette Utilities System gives us a rundown on what's new and exciting with them. LUS continues to please a loyal customer base, add new subscribers and maintain a competitive edge. There are valuable lessons to learn from this community network's successes. 3:00 - FTTH on a Shoestring Budget Peter Folk, President of Volo Broadband explains how practical business management, careful techno

Communities have a tough time getting broadband should tune in to see how Wilson, NC. keeps doing well in a state very hostile to muni networks. Wilson was an early broadband freedom fighter, and against heavy odds, managed to keep the right to own and operate their network, Greenlight. Brian Bowman, Wilson's Public Affairs Manager, offers insights to Greenlight's continued business and political success despite Time Warner's intense efforts to undermine them. Greenlight owes its success to smart business practices plus continually engaging community involvement. NOTOA just awarded them one of two Community Broadband Fiber Networks of the Year. Bowman gives listeners tips for building political support at both City Hall and the state house. He knows better than many on this score. Greenlight managed to survive after one of the most restrictive anti-muni net bills in the US passed. 

The practice of medicine and healthcare delivery are going through significant changes thanks to broadband. What does this mean for your community? A telehealth project in the Golden State gives the rest of the nation a peek at the future. Access to healthcare by underserved and rural residents is getting a big boost from the California Telehealth Network (CTN). Our guest, CEO Eric Brown, explains how CTN puts medical knowledge, staff, and related resources at constituents' fingertips. CTN hopes to increase the number of people staying healthy, as well as improve the quality and efficiency of short- and long-term medical services. CTN uses the latest information technologies to link local clinics, hospitals, doctors and nurses with both their patients and resources from around the country and around the globe. They are funded in part by the FCC's Rural Health Pilot Project. 

Broadband and economic development is not just a rural issue. Though it may seem that urban areas have plenty of broadband, many do not have affordable speeds that also are sufficient for attracting new companies, increasing home-based businesses or helping individuals advance financially. Ron Deus, CEO of regional WISP NetX, is delivering a gig service to businesses in Cleveland's low income communities and helping turn them around. He explains how his business got started and what strategies have made it possible to have an economic impact. NetX also provides services to areas around Cleveland. The depth of the broadband needs in parts of urban America often go unreported or understated. This show sheds some light on how these communities can get better broadband despite this.   

When it comes to speed, wireless advocates say this technology holds its own even in Kansas City where Google promises to deliver 1 gig connectivity. One home-grown Kansas City wireless ISP (WISP) is already delivering 2 gigabit services over a network with 10 gigabits of capacity. While the cellular industry promotes 12 Mbps speed and LTE as the future, CEO Graeme Gibson of Computers & Tele-com, Inc (CTC) explains in non-tech terms how WISPs use the latest wireless technologies to trump weak alternatives. Gibson lays out steps urban and rural communities can take to capitalize on gigabit wireless, often by incorporating fiber into the mix.  GigaOm Senior Writer Stacey Higginbotham joins us as co-host for this interview. Higginbotham has covered Kansas City and unlicensed spectrum issues extensively.

Chattanooga is not the only community executing a full court press to encourage and facilitate gigabit application development. Illinois is trying its hand at running contests to create the most awesome apps to run on the several networks being built throughout the state. Joining us is Drew Clark, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois. This non-profit collects and publishes broadband data, promotes higher-quality broadband access throughout the state and maximizes the impact, adoption and use of high-speed Internet services. Besides giving listeners an update on the latest broadband projects coming from Illinois, Clark also offers valuable recommendations for coordinating programs that drive innovation. 

Word of the Tacoma public-owned network's demise is not only exaggerated, it is a blatant lie told by CenturyLink minions to try to steal Click! customers. Click! is 15 years old and increasing both its power and reach.  Click! General Manager Tenzin Gyaltsen and Government Relations Manager Diane Lachel join us to explain how to make your community network financially sustainable for the long haul. And how to survive big competitors' dirty tricks. The Click! open access architecture enticed three providers to compete to bring customers affordable, fast broadband. Continuing the success story, Click! recently announced new 100 Mbps service. Listeners learn many valuable and practical tips for replicating Click!'s success.