Just as states are trying to stop the rollout of municipal broadband, which not coincidentally is deployed mostly by rural communities, here’s the federal government (through the US Department of Agriculture) providing $8.9 million “for connecting essential community facilities to high-speed telecommunications in rural towns and communities where no broadband service exists.” Perhaps Under Secretary [...]

Orlando, Florida is seeking a provider of free Wi-Fi service for its downtown and community redevelopment area, and throughout the city at a later date. The RFP is a fairly sparse document, short on detail. Orlando, Florida is seeking a provider of free Wi-Fi service for its downtown and community redevelopment area, and throughout the [...]

If there is only one thing you should read this week it is this article entitled Spectrum Wars by Drew Clark published in the National Journal. I know many people have been saying it for years, but the spectrum-hogging American broadcasters, aided and abetted by their sockpuppets in Congress, are damaging public safety and killing [...]

My enthusiasm for the West Virginia pro-municipal broadband bill was short-lived and as I feared, restrictions were included. My enthusiasm for the West Virginia pro-municipal broadband bill was short-lived and as I feared, restrictions were included. A substitute bill was reported out of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday. It had its second reading today and [...]

The Buffalo News is reporting that Buffalo (NY) is considering the creation of a giant Wi-Fi hotzone downtown and in surrounding areas. According to the article, Buffalo wants to raise its technology profile and attract businesses, as well as try to bridge the digital divide between poor neighborhoods and wealthier ones. One major problem is [...]

Portland, Oregon will soon be sending out a request for proposals (RFP) for their citywide wireless broadband network. PTSC (Portland Telecommunications Steering Committee) is in charge of defining the requirements for the network. According to Nigel Ballard (who is a guest commentator on Muniwireless), the wireless cloud will provide an alternative and competitive route to [...]

The West Virginia Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Unger has introduced a bill (SB 740) to hasten the deployment of broadband in the state, according to the West Virginia Herald-Dispatch. The proposed bill (Electronic Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Act or ETOPIA) allows local governments to become ISPs and promotes the installation of fiber optic [...]

The Texas House approved an amended version of House Bill 789 that bans municipal wireless services, according to SaveMuniwireless.org. This is a blow to local businesses and residents who want lower telecommunications costs and faster broadband. Texas says it wants to encourage the speedy rollout of broadband at reasonable prices. This bill does nothing except [...]

Adina Levin tells me that the Texas House session is expected to start at 11:00 today (March 23). People are expecting an amendment to ban city-supported internet, and expect vigorous debate on the issue.Adina Levin tells me that the Texas House session is expected to start at 11:00 today (March 23). People are expecting an [...]