Open Networks

Since 2009, wireless mesh enthusiasts and community networking activists from across the globe have come together for a tournament of a social nature:  "Wireless Battle of the Mesh"

This piece has been cross-posted from Global Voices Advocacy

Last week, a coalition of Internet rights groups

Having recently moved to a new city, I turn to Yelp whenever I am in need of a new restaurant, store, or even a refrigerator repairman. But as I learned the hard way, while Yelp can help me find the best calamari, it won’t tell me whether the restaurant has been spanked by the local health department.

Remember how the Internet community stopped SOPA?

Come on out to Irish Whiskey this Thursday at 8pm for the official launch of the Internet Defense League (IDL), a network of people and organizations committed to defending the open Internet. The goal of IDL is to sound the alarm quickly to millions of users whenever the Internet is in peril.

Is it working? Evaluating and assessing broadband policy

A by-invitation experts’ workshop

New America Foundation

September 19-21, 2012

This week at the Open Technology Institute, we’re going back to the source of our passion for technology. It’s not about policy objectives or new software features, but rather the inspiration and enjoyment we get from sharing what we know and learning from others. The Allied Media Conference offers a rare chance to interact with an array of community organizers, technologists, and policy folks in an environment that’s all about generating creative ideas and engaging with other participants.

On Thursday May 24th, the corner of 16th and Newton Street NW became the eighth node in the growing Mount Pleasant Community Wireless Network. Several folks in the neighborhood and a few team members from the Open Technology Institute (OTI) joined forces with members of HacDC, a community hackerspace, to install a Commotion-powered wireless router on the roof of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church.

The migration of job applications, payment systems and government documents online makes high-speed broadband access a necessity for all communities. Faced with the high prices of services and lagging connection speeds offered by incumbent providers, more and more cities around the country are building their own broadband networks to meet the needs of their residents, businesses and public institutions. Empowering communities to control their own communication infrastructure is one of the core values of OTI.  Last month we began a partnership with MuniNetworks.org to cross-post stories about municipal broadband projects. Today we continue that partnership with an update on Leverett, MA, where residents recently voted overwhelmingly to raise their own taxes to support the design and construction of their locally owned and controlled municipal broadband network.

By Lisa Gonzalez

We brought you news of Leverett, Massachusetts and their decision this spring to pursue a municipal fiber optic network. In April, voters approved a measure to develop the initiative, and this past weekend took the last step toward building the network. The town of 1,851, voted to raise their taxes to pay for a fiber-to-the-home network. The result was a resounding 462 for and 90 against.

The GazetteNET.com covered the story: