Connecticut Tires Of Regional Duopoly, Pushing Gigabit Networks Back in September, representatives of state and local governments in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford joined forces to try and bring faster broadband networks to Connecticut. The collective group issued an RFQ to promote the deployment of gigabit broadband networks and services in "targeted commercial corridors" and locations "with demonstrated demand." At the time, the group also put the call out to any additional under-served communities, who can add an addendum to the RFQ to get involved. Cities have responded, and now some 46 Connecticut Cities (pdf) are part of the effort to improve the state's broadband fortunes and lay claim to being one of the more progressive states in the country when it comes to gigabit networks. Local incumbents like Frontier, Comcast and Cox are, as you might expect, claiming the effort is unnecessary, nobody needs a gigabit, and the effort will result in taxpayer losses: quote: The incumbent cable and telcos are not standing idly by. The New England Cable Television Association, NECTA (essentially speaking for Comcast) has fired at the plan, variously claiming that (a) the state already has adequate capacity, so no one needs a gig, (b) if gig networks are needed, they’ve already been built, (c) if new networks are built via the Connecticut plan (a plan supported by the four largest cities in the state as well as 42 other towns), taxpayers will have to pay for them. None of this is true. Except the RFP as designed involves private companies fronting the capital and reaping the rewards of building an open access network. Meanwhile, as we've seen with similar efforts in other locations, these towns and cities wouldn't be pushing to improve their local broadband if they were happy with the services being provided by the current duopoly. While we've seen a lot of one-off municipal broadband deployments, Connecticut's hoping to move the entire state and all 169 towns and cities toward gigabit speeds en masse.Those interested can find all the pertinent RFQ data Except the RFP as designed involves private companies fronting the capital and reaping the rewards of building an open access network. Meanwhile, as we've seen with similar efforts in other locations, these towns and cities wouldn't be pushing to improve their local broadband if they were happy with the services being provided by the current duopoly. While we've seen a lot of one-off municipal broadband deployments, Connecticut's hoping to move the entire state and all 169 towns and cities toward gigabit speeds en masse.Those interested can find all the pertinent RFQ data here







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atigerman

join:2002-01-19

Tigerton, WI 8 recommendations atigerman Member GOOTW To the incumbent isp's, if you're not going to help. Get Out Of The Way!