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Starting an Internet Service Provider

chrishacken.com

151–160 of 248 posts

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#151
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> One other reason is that counties have the land rights. They negotiate with the big Telco's like Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Charter, etc and then issue a monopoly or duopoly in the county for a fixed period of time - usually 10 years at once. They do not do that. It's illegal under federal law. Pole and conduit owners are required to rent out access at non-discriminatory rates: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4…

> They do not do that. It's illegal under federal law. They definitely do. Our city has a franchise agreement with the incumbent cable provider; they're the only company allowed to provide cable television service. ~10 years ago a company called NuNet tried to come in and run fiber in a neighboring city, Hazleton, and both they and the city were sued by the incumbent for breaching the franchise.

The 1992 Cable Act made exclusive franchises illegal, but does not retroactively apply to pre-1992 contracts. Almost all of those contracts have since expired and been renewed as non-exclusive contracts under the 1992 Act. Hazelton, for example, granted an exclusive franchise before 1992, which expired in 2005: http://articles.mcall.com/2004-03-25/business/3517245_1_fibe.... The suit in 2004 was over the last year of exclusivity.

I imagine there are some 30-year exclusive franchises granted in 1991 that are still in effect. I don't actually know of any.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#152
post #111
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We can't convince voters to raise taxes/utility rates enough to fix crumbling dams, lead water pipes, and overflowing sewers.

Neo-con media has framed this very effectively, and the populace now operates within that frame

It's not neo-cons. It's liberals too. God forbid we raise water rates so the water utility can replace aging lead pipes--"what will happen to grandma if water rates go up???!"

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#153
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It says ura_limit_reached. I'm guessing you don't have enough paid accounts.

I'll look into it. We should have an unlimited account. Edit: it appears there is a 5 guest limit per paid account. Edit 2: I think I'm going to set up a Mattermost server and push people that way.

Consider matrix first.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#154

I'm fascinated by the economics of running fiber. A neighboring company from a few counties away has brought in a fiber backbone into the county. This was run via aerial fiber, they were pretty clear their objective was to hook up schools, government and businesses once in the county. After that then focus on residential. Our county is pretty rural, the largest town 5k people. The backbone ran past my parents house w…

They probably ran a 48-144 strand backbone so they'd be able to splice off a strand here and there. Another possibility is they reserved 5-10 strands for GPON; which basically allows you to use a single strand for up to 32 or 64 subscribers.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, can just anyone go there? And is it free cuz Im kind of broke?

You don't have to be a member of WISPA to attend, AFAIK. It is not free, however; cf. http://www.wispa.org/Events/WISPAmerica

Past the booking date and that's quite an entry fee. Oh well. Might hit it next time, though. Thanks for tipoff about it! :)

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll look into it. We should have an unlimited account. Edit: it appears there is a 5 guest limit per paid account. Edit 2: I think I'm going to set up a Mattermost server and push people that way.

Or you could just use an IRC channel...

But that's old. I'm only interested in new new NEW!!

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#158
post #10

This was a super interesting read. The one thing I never fail to get over though is how expensive internet is in the states. In the UK you can get 200/20 for about £58 p/m including TV & Phone. I couldn't imagine paying nearly $100 p/m for 100mbps.

The much slower upload speed means your download is bottlenecked (tcp ACKs). A lot of providers offer such asymmetry because it works well for video (udp) but otherwise it's not the great deal you might think it is.

As another point of reference, I live in semi-rural Canada about an hour from a major city and have 150/150 fibre for CDN$85/month.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#159

I'm fascinated by the economics of running fiber. A neighboring company from a few counties away has brought in a fiber backbone into the county. This was run via aerial fiber, they were pretty clear their objective was to hook up schools, government and businesses once in the county. After that then focus on residential. Our county is pretty rural, the largest town 5k people. The backbone ran past my parents house w…

They probably ran a 48-144 strand backbone so they'd be able to splice off a strand here and there. Another possibility is they reserved 5-10 strands for GPON; which basically allows you to use a single strand for up to 32 or 64 subscribers.

That is interesting, the later sounds like what they are doing, but not for sure. Either way it is working really well.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#160

I'm fascinated by the economics of running fiber. A neighboring company from a few counties away has brought in a fiber backbone into the county. This was run via aerial fiber, they were pretty clear their objective was to hook up schools, government and businesses once in the county. After that then focus on residential. Our county is pretty rural, the largest town 5k people. The backbone ran past my parents house w…

Heh, is it weird that I read your comment, it sounded familiar, and I'm 99% certain I know exactly who the companies you're referring to are?

Yup looking at your site and saw Bloomington so I'm sure you do!
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