Blog Posts

A commitment to conflict-free technology
November 20, 2009 ,   16 reads

Awareness of the impacts of our purchase choices on land and peoples far away has slowly been spreading. Yet still many don't know about the worst impact of all: the electronics industry. Metals essential to cell phones, computers, video game systems, digital phones, and other techno gadgets are being extracted from the Congo by armed groups actively engaged in a genocide of huge proportions (over 5 million killed.) This is a fact that many of us ignore as we use electronic tools to promote positive change in the world.

Future of Private Competition
October 22, 2009 ,   36 reads

There is no guarantee that two or more privately owned broadband service providers will enter and remain in Syracuse for the long-run. For example, Time Warner Cable may compete with new competitor Verizon for a period of time, but then agree to sell or swap its local operations with Verizon's in another market (or vice-versa), each gaining a market monopoly.

What do the candidates for mayor think about municipal broadband.
September 30, 2009 ,   60 reads

The Syracuse Progressive Coalition put together a platform for the mayor of Syracuse, and gathered responses from the candidates.

The Progressive Coalition Mayoral Platform:

Business Models For Municipal Broadband Service
September 3, 2009 ,   90 reads
There are a number of different conceptions of what "municipal broadband" means, and what it would include (organization, business model, services), especially in the case of Syracuse. There is the idea of having an up to date fiber system that the City would own, which would compete with other providers for all services. Then there are more limited approaches such as city wide Wi-fi, or municipal connections between various sectors (education, tech, gov. etc.) that could be a joint venture. And how does all this relate to the new initiative coming from the FCC and the administration (stimulus money etc.)?
Wireless Carriers: Ten Things I Hate About You
August 19, 2009 ,   115 reads

"The consumer electronics scene in the U.S. is wonderful and horrible at the same time. The devices, technologies and innovation are wonderful. The provision of wireless access is horrible. U.S. carriers are some of the most backward, unscrupulous and anti-customer companies in the nation. So, carriers, this column's for you. Here's what I hate about how you do business."

Why We Need Net Neutrality—And Why We Need It Now
August 7, 2009 ,   111 reads

"Some causes are worth fighting for and Net neutrality is one of them. Last week, a bill was introduced in Congress that would require Internet service providers to "not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service to access, use, send, post, receive, or offer any lawful content, application, or service through the Internet." Congress has shot down similar measures twice before. This time we should make it stick."

Municipal Broadband Can Learn From Municipal Power
August 2, 2009 ,   143 reads

Municipal power has a 100+ year history in this country. It has consistently provided higher quality, lower prices, and better coverage than private utilities. All the reason for establishing municipal power apply to municipal broadband. There are also economies of scale for a municipality that offers both power and broadband service.

Clearwire Partners With Presumed Competition
July 6, 2009 ,   177 reads

Clearwire is teaming up with Comcast and Time Warner Cable and others---who purchased 25% of Clearwire---to offer Wimax wireless Internet access as a supplemental service to their cable customers. Clearwire advertises 4Mbs service at $30/mo. Customers may access their account from any city served by Clearwire. Read the full article here

Municipal Broadband Plus Municipal Power
July 4, 2009 ,   141 reads

As I researched municipal broadband over the past year, I noticed that most of the communities pursuing municipal broadband had already established municipal power. Apparently, their success with one led them naturally to pursue the other. There are significant potential efficiencies in pursuing both. The following quote captures the idea nicely:

The Broadband Playing Field Is Not Static
July 2, 2009 ,   154 reads

I'm quite concerned about the future broadband playing field. To me, it's no longer a question of, "stay as we are, or go muni"; it is more like, "incur increasing nickel&diming, manipulation of service quality, restriction of use, and less privacy, or go muni". The situation is not static. This I think should be communicated more.