Originally posted in eNews Blandin on Broadband monthly recap…

Feeling the need to start or rejuvenate a community broadband initiative?  If so, you are facing numerous questions before you even pick up the telephone or send an email.  Questions like: What is the right geography for the effort – your city, city and area townships, the county, multiple counties? Or technology choices – Is it fiber or bust for your effort or is the 700 MHz wireless spectrum with its potential 10 Mb bandwidth or even 3G cellular wireless a “much better than nothing” alternative? What about provider partners- Is there anyone out there with the skills, money and interest?

Blandin Foundation is convening a meeting this week with people from five counties in east central Minnesota to begin a discussion.  This area – Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Pine, Aitkin and Carlton have lots of geography with relatively poor service.  There has been great interest in broadband in these counties over the years, but the barriers to deployment are significant.  It will be interesting to hear what the area broadband leaders have to say.  Stay tuned!