The Federal government is continuing to announce awards from the USDA (just one in California and it’s not for our region) and the Dept. of Commerce (nothing for California) for the first round of broadband stimulus funds.
Now the second round of the application process is gearing up. They will be holding workshops around the country [...]
life and technology on the north coast of california
Category Archives: Broadband/Internet
Broadband Stimulus Funds Round 2
FCC Looks at Barely Adequate Speeds for Rural Broadband
According to this Wall Street Journal blog post, the FCC is considering setting an average speed of 2-4 mbs for it plans for improved broadband coverage plan that will be released soon. While this is a much better target than the previous 200 kbs figure the FCC had previously defined as broadband, it still seems [...]
Fast Internet for All Slows to Crawl
Yesterday was declared the birthday of the Internet. It’s been an amazing 40 years. And the next 40 years will be even more amazing as the developments are accelerating. But one of the roadblocks to this future online world is our inadequate infrastructure – the too thin, too fragile tubes that are supposed to carry [...]
Regional Broadband and Stimulus Funds
When the Federal government announced that $7 billion would become available to improve the broadband infrastructure, some folks around here got excited. When it became clear that much of the funding would be given to help rural and under served areas, some of those folks got to work.
At first it seemed the best approach would [...]
Broadband and the Stimulus Funds
Update (6/9/09): Access Humboldt recorded the event and the video is online.
Today the RTC sponsored a luncheon that was intended to elucidate the confusing information surrounding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), how it might affect our region and specifically the prospects of improved broadband deployment. The room at the Red Lion was full [...]
Lay Fiber Everywhere Dammit!
Ars Technica points to a new bill introduced by Rep. Anna Eschoo. Here’s the essence of the bill/article:
The bill would require new federal road projects to include plastic conduits buried along the side of the roadway, and enough of them to “accommodate multiple broadband providers.” Conduits must meet industry best practices for size and depth, [...]
CPUC Approves Fiber Project
Yesterday the CPUC approved Broadband Associates’ funding for building a second fiber line from Redding to Eureka with plans to serve the communities along the 299 corridor.
The project generated some controversy when it was first made public. Some thought it a waste of money when lower cost technologies such as microwave and wi fi networks [...]
Are You Tired of Broadband Talk Yet?
The RTC luncheon on Monday was a great success. Erin Tracy from the Times-Standard did a good recap, and Ryan Burns from the Northcoast Journal has provided some nice personal details to fill out some of the atmospherics, including a little showdown between Mwichale Brinskele, CEO of Broadband Associates and Mike Ireton, owner of a [...]
Local Broadband A Hot Topic Again
My latest Tech Beat regarding broadband issues and controversies is in the Times-Standard this morning. If you are planning on attending the luncheon on Feb. 2, please make your reservations now as we need to get as accurate an account as possible in later today.
I wonder why the Tech Beat articles don’t appear in the [...]
Broadband Back in Focus
Those of us who already have high speed access have a tendency to get complacent about broadband issues until the next fiber break happens. But some have been working diligently to find ways to improve our telecommunications infrastructure, not waiting for the next disaster and knowing many areas of the region remain un-served or under [...]
Upcoming RTC Events
The Redwood Technology Consortium is trying some new things this year as the result of polling our community and talking to people about what is most useful. Instead of monthly meetings we will be offering a seires of luncheons with panels on variousl topics. The first luncheon will be held February 2, 12-2 PM at [...]
Tech Policy: McCain v Obama
Now that all the fun of guessing who will be the v.p. selections for each candidate is over, what do we have left? We have the philosophy and policy of the men at the top of the tickets for each party. We are not going to learn a whole lot from the Republican convention that [...]
Notes from Broadband Forum IV
Much coverage in the press has and will appear over Broadband Forum IV, but just in case they miss something herewith are notes provided by Larry Goldberg with a few minor edits from me. I understand at some point PowerPoint presentations will be posted on the Redwood Coast Connect web site. BTW, this was an [...]
Broadband Forum IV Agenda Set
The next Broadband Forum is set for Auguts 21 at Fortuna’s River Lodge, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. According to a email from Connie Stewart, the theme for this year is “Rural Connections: From Grassroots to Treetops: Getting Broadband to All of the Redwood Coast“.
The keynote speaker will be Sunne McPeak, President and Chief Executive [...]
Redwood Coast Connect Results
After months of gather and analyzing data, Redwood Coast Connect is starting to share its findings and plans. Tomorrow they will make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors. RCC has been developing information on the best ways to get broadband deployed to rural areas of the region.
If you can’t make that meeting, a similar [...]