well, what Matt said is reality in almost all cities and towns in MA.. shutesbury/leverett is doing something that is pretty unusual (though becoming more commonplace after the telcos blew their incumbent advantage in the DSL rollout and are now playing games).. Curious, though.. "fiber to the home" with a wireless last-mile? ...tom At 09:14 AM 4/8/2005, Aron Goldman wrote: >No, I am sorry, the phone company (Verizon) will NOT own the wire from my >house. We have been spending several years planning our own, community >controlled fiber-to-THE-HOME network. We also follow the wireless industry >(so far more hype than reality for our topography) for "last mile" >solutions. And one reason why working with Crocker is appealing is because >he is a (recently approved) CLEC--meaning, he has the legal status to >compete with Verizon, access poles, etc. Bypassing Verizon is admittedly >ambitious, but I'm afraid that's our only option if we want the kind of >telecom infrastructure the rest of the developed world already takes for >granted. Plus, the Pioneer Valley is a special place where great things >are possible. >--- >Aron P. Goldman, Chair >Shutesbury-Leverett Broadband Committee >Tel: 413 549 1193 >web site: http://slbc.westernmass.us