[Hidden-tech] WiredWest fiberoptic broadband

[Town Websites]

For what it's worth, I'm amazed to see 39 towns have put this on their town
meeting warrants.  I can't recall any regional initiative at the municipal
level of this scope, reaching across several regional councils of government
with a combined population I guesstimate around that of Northampton plus
Greenfield combined; towns don't often even cooperate with their immediate
neighbors on projects like this.  That alone suggests to me either than
Wired West is very well organized, or has a compelling and timely issue, or
both.  

 

I don't really know the history of rural electrification, telephone service,
roads, and municipal services such as water and sewer, but this *is*
advocating the government, by taking municipal  action in a regional
coalition.  As a commodity service which is a natural monopoly in the last
mile, I think broadband, like water and sewer, can be well served by a
municipally operated provider, especially where the private sector hasn't
been able to provide service. 

 

FYI, the Broadband 123 initiative doesn't try to cover the last mile; it
brings high bandwidth broadband to selected central locations.  That's a
complimentary piece of the puzzle, and isn't the hardest piece to get the
private sector to provide.  The hardest piece is to get service everywhere
that electric and telephone wires already reach.

 

Charlie Heath

Town Websites

 

 

 

From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Ed Morris
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 10:39 PM
To: 'Hidden Tech'
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] WiredWest fiberoptic broadband

 

Appologies for posting with a tone of skepticism, I commend coordinated
community action when something needs to be done - but it seems by the time
a small local inititive if/when gets agreed, funded and moving, other
options may become more attractive:

 

http://www.high-speed-internet-access-guide.com/satellite/rural-internet.htm
l

 

http://www.massbroadband.org/

 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3pressrelease
<http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3pressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=pressr
elease&f=032510_broadband&csid=Agov3>
&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=pressrelease&f=032510_broadband&csid=Agov3

 

 

I don't think it's a matter of 'IF' high speed internet access will ever
reach rural areas, it's more a matter of when.    Back when roads were
starting to be built around the US, rural communities didn't try to pave
their own...they advocated the gov and dealt with country road until the
funding made it out their way.   This is one reason property value and
property taxes are more expensive in more populated areas: the choice of
convienence.   Like paved roads, high speed utility access will eventually
make it to you and everywhere....you'll just have a bumpy ride till then.
:)

 

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