CDNews introduces a proposed $450 million city-run broadband system that could be financed through municipal revenue bonds issued against future subscriptions with initial service starting in just 18 months, expanding city-wide in 3 to 4 years.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Seattle had decided that the city could step in and provide what private industry was failing at. In 1900, the privately owned Seattle Electric Company provided power to residences and businesses across the city. But at $.20 per kilowatt-hour, it was expensive – several times more expensive than today. In inflation-adjusted terms, those rates would make your typical $75 electric bill in 2010 skyrocket up to $4,000.
So in 1902 city voters decided to allow the city to issue bonds to start a municipal electric system, and today we have Seattle City Light, which provides some of the lowest electric rates across the nation.
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Also via CDNews, Broadstripe General Manager David Irons says “you should be getting at least 10 megabits [per second] right now. If you’re not, give us a call” at 800-829-CABL.
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City requests your input on Google Ultra-High Speed Broadband details ways in which you can help Seattle be included in Google’s gigabit fiber-to-the-home pilot program — Capitol Hill Seattle
I got a message from an Auditor from Broadstripe last night indicating that I was eligible for a lower monthly rate. Has anyone gotten a similar call? Is it a marketing ploy, or an attempt to keep people from jumping ship, since the Qwest trucks have been all over my neighborhood recently?
We can actively participate in this effort and nominate Beacon Hill.
This site shows directs you to a simple one-page, on-line form where we can nominate our neighborhood. I don’t know how they manage numerous nominations, but it seems to me that, as with most things, more noise from one community gets heard.
Imagine a life not fighting Broadstripe!
Lets nominate—
http://www.seattle.gov/broadband/google.htm
As a follow up to my original comment (if anyone is interested): It looks like he was a legit auditor who was just making his way down some list, seeing if he could offer better deals. My guess if that they are lower prices to help compete with Qwest service which is moving into the neighborhood. It turned out that I was already getting the best deal they offer on just internet service, so he politely moved on.
To his credit, he didn’t hassle me to upgrade.