Christopher Mitchell on Muni Networks
Bertha Knight Landes room on October 8:
- Noon Lunch and Learn for City staff and community leaders
- 6:30PM – Public Forum
Mayor Murray outlined a path forward with his Broadband Initiative. It will evaluate strategies to increase the availability of competitive, affordable and equitable broadband options, including the potential for a municipal broadband option. The City of Seattle’s Citizens’ Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board is exploring implications of a municipally-owned broadband system in Seattle with two forums at City Hall with Christopher Mitchell, Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
Lunch & Learn: Chris Mitchell on Community-owned Networks – Exploring the Realities of a Municipally-owned Seattle Broadband Provider
Seattle City Hall / Wednesday, October 8th / Noon – 1 PM / Boards and Commissions Conference Room L-280
_http://seattlemunicipalbroadbandlunch.bpt.me_
Evening Public Forum: Exploring Municipal Broadband in Seattle with Chris Mitchell
Seattle City Hall / Wednesday, October 8th / 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM / Bertha Knight Landes Room
_http://seattlemunicipalbroadband.bpt.me_
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551406701741210
Short URL: http://ow.ly/BZSsI
We drafted a letter to invite the Mayor and Councilmember Harrell.
Low income broadband plans
We have communication with Wave Broadband re: low income plans but the issue is broader to low income plans in general. Need to craft a set of principles.
Articles, etc on low income broadband programs, impacts, policy needs
City of Seattle low income Internet programs page w/webinar on programs:
http://www.seattle.gov/tech/LowCostInternet
Comcast and Time Warner merger:
California Emerging Technology Fund comments to FCC and other
http://www.cetfund.org/node/6577 and other filings at http://broadband4all.weebly.com/resources.html
Sacramento Bee post re Internet Essentials and Time Warner merger: http://www.cetfund.org/files/140914_SACBee_Eastin_Delaine_Comcast-TWC_oped.pdf:
Toledo Telephone/ Cowlitz Tribe Sustainable Broadband Adoption NTIA BTOP project in Washington State
http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/toledo-telephone-company-inc
Comcast Internet too hard to sign up for – Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/comcasts-internet-for-the-poor-too-hard-to-sign-up-for-advocates-say/
We will issue a draft statement for the Committee to review and bring forward to the Board to approve.
Comcast wifi-network router security
Through my work on the FCC Diversity Committee I learned about the Minority Media and Telecom Council (www.mmtconline.org). One of their policy goals is “Digital Citizenship”. It’s a good source of information. Also check out the Benton Foundation.
Comcast is installing and not changing the admin password.
Comcast can mass change the default password.
- Check with David to add Internet security to the City’s outreach programs.
- Check on the free modems to non-profits.
- Dan to draft to some bullet points and we will contact David Keyes.
SDOT Director’s Rule
This legislation is moving through the process. We are tracking the dates and sending reminders via the distribution list.
First choice will be the pole. Then goes to the ground if it’s not feasible to be on the pole.
Council will review after one year. Opportunity for this Committee to provide a Point of View as time passes with this new legislation. Need to dedicate this to a subcommittee.
Great to bring this to the Muni Broadband forum.
Committee to monitor the implementation and opportunity to provide perspective down the line.