Home ›

Information

Welcome to the Information Sector.  This policy area deals most with telecommunications -- broadband networks that move information across the planet at the speed of light.  These networks are becoming as important to communities as access to roads and electricity as education, health care, and businesses increasingly need faster speeds. 

Below, you will find the most recent news items, audio stories, and commentaries from New Rules that relate to information and telecommunications policy.  We also have model rules - organized in the right sidebar on key topic areas and covering different levels of government from local to international.

Op-Ed: Municipal fiber needs more FDR localism, fewer state bans

By Christopher Mitchell on January 6, 2010

ars.png

Community-owned broadband is one way to bring fiber to smaller markets, but many states restrict the practice. Researcher Christopher Mitchell argues that it's time for a bit more Roosevelt-style localism in US broadband. 

Following ILSR's map showing states that preempt local authority to build Community Broadband Networks we published the following op-ed on the leading tech site Ars Technica. More

ILSR Submits Comments to FCC on Publicly Owned Broadband

November 18, 2009

logo-fcc.gif

As the Federal Communications Commission continues to formulate a National Broadband Plan, ILSR has responded to a recent request for comments about the relationship between broadband and government.

We highlight the importance of publicly owned broadband networks by noting success stories and offering details on networks from Chattanooga, Burlington, Monticello, and Powell, Wyoming.  We also discuss lessons from publicly owned middle-mile networks and networks that connect core anchor institutions, like libraries and schools. More

Maine Needs Publicly Owned Broadband

By Christopher Mitchell and Stacy Mitchell on October 18, 2009

seal-maine.png

Current providers won't encourage the competition necessary to improve service and cut costs.

Last January, as the economy spiraled downward, Time Warner did what no other company could have gotten away with under the circumstances: It imposed a price increase of as much as 5.5 percent on its Maine customers.

Meanwhile, the state's other major broadband Internet provider, FairPoint, has amassed a stunning track record of mismanagement and abysmal customer service. More

Argentina Passes Law, Looks Inward for Media Ownership

October 13, 2009

Democracy Now! was one of several outlets to cover a new law in Argentina to promote local media and networks.
The bill allocates two-thirds of the broadcast spectrum to non-commercial stations, limits the number of licenses any one company can hold, and promotes Argentine-made content. More

Low Power Radio Continues to Move Through the U.S. House

October 12, 2009

The Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147) has passed the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet with a strong 15-1 vote. It is now moving back to the parent committee - the Commerce Committee.

This bill has strong grassroots support - with many diverse groups in support. More

Citizens Rally Behind Publicly Owned Wireless Network in Florida

October 8, 2009

As we reported on MuniNetworks.org, the city of St. Cloud, Florida, has operated a free wireless network covering the entire city since 2006. They treat it as a public service and "CyberSpot" has been viewed as a premier success story, garnering awards for its performance. More

Chattanooga Launches Nation's Largest Muni Fiber Network

September 28, 2009

logo-epbfiber.jpg

ILSR is pleased to congratulate Chattanooga, Tennessee, for building the largest publicly owned, full fiber network in the United States.  Chattanooga’s public power utility, EPB, began offering telephone, broadband, and television services on its network on September 15.

This broadband network will allow smart-grid applications for the electrical utility as well as offer local support, faster speeds for both uploading and downloading. More

FCC Turns Attention to Network Neutrality, Ensuring an Open Internet

September 23, 2009

netneutral.jpg

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission has taken a stand for network neutrality - the founding principle of openness of the Internet. In short, network neutrality means the entity providing you access to the Internet cannot interfere with the sites you choose to visit - it cannot speed them up or slow them down in order to increase their profits.  

Because most Americans get access to the Internet from large, absentee-owned profit-maximizing companies who are often de facto monopolies, we have to beware the gulf between community interests and the narrow interests of these companies.  More

The Definition of Broadband Matters Greatly

September 18, 2009

Fotolia-ethernet-small.jpg

As the Federal Communications Commission creates a National Broadband Plan for the United States, it will have to decide whether to revise its definition of broadband.  On one side, ILSR and others demand a robust definition to encourage greater network infrastructure investment.  On the other, telecommunications companies want to keep the existing definition so they can claim they serve nearly everyone. 

In all the wrangling over how we should define broadband, I wanted to step back and remember why the definition itself is so important.  More

Low Power Radio Poised for Renaissance

September 10, 2009

The NY Times profiled a low-power radio station, noting that the number of these stations could double if Congress passes the Local Community Radio Act of 2009 (S. 592).

Interestingly, though these stations are rooted in their community, some are also broadcasting online - allowing the signal to be sent anywhere people with an Internet connection want to listen. More
1234567next ›last »

Comments

The New Rules Project exists to encourage policies that will increase the political and economic power of citizens and communities. Newrules.org will only approve comments that are relevant and, in our judgment, add a valuable contribution to the topic. We may edit comments to bring out key points. Abusive comments will not be tolerated.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Syndicate content