Qwest has apparently started soliciting bids for new fiber equipment for a new major project, quite possibly a new fiber network designed to compete with projects like UTOPIA. They've already been trying out fiber in the South Jordan subdivision of Daybreak, and this would be a major escalation likely designed… Continue reading
The municipal fiber project in Wilson, NC is moving forward as the city start accepting bids on construction. Plans are to complete the network for $28M within 3 years,not too far off the mark from iProvo's network. With backing from Embarq (formerly Sprint Local), it looks like this project is… Continue reading
Lawrence Lessig, a long time technology pundit, writes in Wired this month about how he was wrong to think that regulation would solve the monopoly problem with Microsoft. He continues that train of thought by proposing that maybe Net Neutrality can be saved not by regulations, but by more open… Continue reading
UTOPIA is now starting construction on Phase 2 of the project while putting the finishing touches on the Phase 1 construction. Phase 2 will be utilizing federal grants for rural broadband, so folks in Brigham City and Tremonton can look forward to the high-speed service Real Soon Now(TM). Once construction… Continue reading
Provo Mayor Lewis Billings wrote an op-ed in the Provo Daily Herald rebutting the Reason Foundation's report slamming iProvo. His conclusion? They're gaming a project in its infancy, calling it a failure before it has even really gotten off of the ground. He points out that construction only recently finished… Continue reading
The Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank from California, has released two studies recent slamming iProvo specifically and municipal broadband in general. They make a solid case that city-run WiFi networks (as with all WiFi networks) face rapid obsolescence that a city probably can't keep up with. However, they go… Continue reading
UTOPIA will be holding an open house in Lindon to answer questions about the service that will soon be available to that city. It will be held on Dec. 5 at 6PM at the Lindon City Center, 100 N. State Rd. (See full article.)
The city of Layton, a UTOPIA member, recently approved a location for a major UTOPIA hub within the city. The city is not yet getting service, but is a member city scheduled to be hooked up during Phase II of construction. (See full article.)
Tonight I attended a meeting of the Utah Technology Commission to speak on opening up UTOPIA. The presentation went well, and I think it helped bring the shortcomings of the current law into the minds of the Commission. I also walked away with more ideas on where to go next…. Continue reading
The FTTH Council has filed a brief in favor of the Lafayette Utility Systems' efforts to deploy a municipal fiber network. The lawsuit was brought by a resident who claimed unfair government competition and has now been escalated to the state's Supreme Court. The lawsuit is built around a 2004… Continue reading