[Advisors] Notes fromFeb. 11 mtg re: TC and community broadband

[Marita Moll]

Report on meeting re: TC role in advocacy for community broadband -- 
Feb. 11, 2005

Present:
Anthony Niiganii, Clarice Leader, Elizabeth Wilson, Michael Gurstein, 
James Van Leeuwen, Marita Moll

Co-ordinating and reporting: Marita Moll

James provided a brief overview of the community broadband movement in 
the U.S. and the fact that the movement has gained such credibility that 
President Obama promoted community broadband in his recent speech in 
Cedar Falls, Iowa which (with federal assistance) has built a thriving 
community owned broadband network 
(http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/government/text-president-obamas-speech-in-cedar-falls-20150114) 
. In the U.S., community broadband has an extensive profile with 
organizations, websites, print materials, regional and national events, 
etc. working to enhance its visibility (e.g. Broadband Communities 
Magazine, Fibre to the Home Council). Because it is being promoted as a 
key economic driver, it has been seen as politically beneficial for 
governments and regulators in the U.S. to be supportive. James has 
attended a number of events in the U.S. and has spoken with advocates 
and organizations there who would like to help bring some of this 
information to Canada by way of a conference either in Toronto or 
Vancouver.

The situation in Canada is very different. Although there are successful 
community owned broadband networks, as an issue it is barely on the 
radar. But, with the recent success in the U.S., this should be a good 
time to ramp up advocacy in Canada. There is no clear leader emerging at 
a national level to take on the role of aggregating interest on this 
topic. TC could play an important role in taking up the challenge.

A lively discussion ensued regarding the nature of the population served 
by such networks, the infrastructure used, the options for communities 
who are seeking better connectivity, examples of Canadian communities 
who have embraced the concept (Coquitlam), and the need for a public 
perspective on services/ownership/benefits of such a network. Although 
private interests are necessarily involved in the building of community 
owned broadband systems, in the end, private companies are about wealth 
extraction not wealth creation. This is a message that community leaders 
need to hear more often.

In order to move the agenda ahead, the following activities are suggested:

1. Survey of TC members on the meaning of broadband in the context of 
their communities/ province. Examples of such systems in place or underway.

2. Develop an inventory of interested persons/organizations.

3. Start a space on the TC website to contain information on community 
broadband

4. Reinforce TC's mandate to include community broadband issues as an 
area of interest.

Marita


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