broadband

Jim Baller moderated an open mic in the session Impact of Broadband Cost on Sustainable Adoption. Here are some of the comments we heard:

• Having a local service provider greases the skids of adoption. (Josh Breitbart)
• Neighbors splitting the cost of a connection. Is that ok? (Bart Gonzalez)
• In rural areas we lack competition and providers are not interested in negotiating. (Sue Shipitalo)
• If program participant has poor credit, cannot get a broadband account. (Cindy Menz-Erb)
• We are not defining cost as the same. Some costs exist from regulatory or government reasons. Other costs are due o the provider. (Chuck McClure)
• Multi-dwelling unit exclusivity agreements restrict broadband choices of residents of housing complexes.

Jim Baller suggested we not call the lack of affordable broadband a cost problem but rather a "cost opportunity". Jim is the expert and I understand figuring out solutions get us further than complaints but I also see a huge value in clearly defining a problem. The fact that broadband is not affordable to all is a problem. It is only an opportunity to those who have solutions. For those of us trying to solve the broadband adoption issue struggling to find solutions, it is a problem.

The International Summit for Community Wireless Networks ended with a passionate speech from Harold Feld of the Media Access Project. Harold believes now is the time for real systemic global change. The right people at the right time. First time Harold spoke at an International Summit on Community Wifi, he focused on why the conference attendees should care about what happens in DC. The second time Harold spoke he focused on reclaiming the idea that public policy is about bringing the best in human nature forward. The term Policy Hacker was coined by one of the attendees last year, a superb term for those working toward community focused tech policy.

Harold got us started thinking about the strength of the community with the statement: The difference between a movement and a mob is coordination and intent. Individuals come together to learn from each other, to make their own projects better. They quickly determine that what they do is part of a larger movement.