Comments on: Who’s driving your broadband bus? http://gigaom.com/2012/07/01/whos-driving-your-broadband-bus/ Sat, 25 May 2013 19:14:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Jason Russell http://gigaom.com/2012/07/01/whos-driving-your-broadband-bus/#comment-859742 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:55:13 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=538387#comment-859742 I work at UTOPIA, the Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency, which is an “interlocal” agency created originally by 16 cities that wanted to bring fiber-to-the-premises in their communities (11 actually followed through). The cities have bonded for the expense of building the fiber backbone and, of course, taking it to the homes. Homeowners can buy the connection outright for $2,750 or finance it over 10 or 20 years. Leasing options are also available.

As the name suggests, UTOPIA provides the open-access network; a number of ISPs provide services on the network (including 50/50, 100/100, and even 1-Gbps service), giving customers choice and options.

So, that side of the model works, but naturally the “incumbents” fight our model tooth and nail and are more than happy to sow disinformation. There are lots of unique challenges that we have to deal with.

]]> By: Michael Curri http://gigaom.com/2012/07/01/whos-driving-your-broadband-bus/#comment-859713 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:11:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=538387#comment-859713 What needs to be asked up-front is “Why do we need and want this ultra-broadband network?” – so that the goals of the community are openly discussed, prioritized and then actioned. By going through this exercise up front, broadband planning will more effectively leverage broadband for economic development and community transformation. Clarity of purpose and motivation are important for economic development strategies. With limited resources, people need to agree and work together. Of course most individuals in the community may implicitly understand that broadband is ‘good,’ but many may have different objectives. Discussions up-front of clarity and purpose crystalizes the case for investing in broadband for a community / region and shortens the path to achieve their goals.

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