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New Opportunities in a Changed World – Part 4 of 4
Kevin Larson, of CTC in rural northern Minnesota, suggests that communities may need to form their own broadband networks, much like cooperatives were formed decades ago to bring telephone service to rural areas. In the final segment of this 4-part interview, Larson suggests that this could be an opportunity for existing telecom operators to lend…
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Unintended Consequences of the Broadband Stimulus – Part 3 of 4
Construction of infrastructure due to the broadband stimulus is in full swing. In part 3 of a 4 part interview, Kevin Larson of CTC in Brainerd, MN discusses some of the unintended results of the stimulus process and wonders what will happen to construction and engineering firms once the stimulus projects are complete. Part 1…
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Build Broadband in Rural America
In her keynote speech at TelcoTV, Shirley Bloomfield explained how rural broadband operators must shift their message to building broadband and not just saving broadband in rural areas. In the above interview, Bloomfield, president and CEO of NTCA, points out that the networks are, “living and breathing,” and require continual upgrades to stay current with…
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The Impact of the Broadband Order – Part 2 of 4
The metaphor of a three-legged stool is what Kevin Larson of CTC in Brainerd, MN uses to describe the sources of revenue for CTC and broadband operators like CTC. He explains how the FCC’s Connect America Fund Order knocks out one of those legs and causes uncertainty in the other leg. The result affects CTC’s investment plans…
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Looking North for Ideas to Solve Programming Woes
Ensuring the voices of the smaller independent television distributors (e.g. cable, telco, municipal operators) and the voices of their customers are heard among policy makers and vendors is what the CCSA (Canadian Independent Communications) does. In this release, the voice of the CCSA voice is heard in its firm opposition against the proposed merger of…
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Fiber by the Community
The story of B4RN and Annison shows the importance of local ownership for the creation of broadband networks in even the most remote of locations. It is a story that policy makers in the U.K and around the world should take note of as they as they draft legislation and promulgate rules to ensure broadband…
