Week 16 – Broadband Prime’s Top 5

In an attempt to bring you resourceful news I decided to post a top 5 list from each week’s readings. These pointers aim to bringing you ideas and comments on contemporary developments and debates. It is not going to be about news (unless ground-breaking) rather it will comprise of analysis and opinions from press, bloggers and analysts that, I find, is worth reading. I will keep the list to 5 references to make it meaningful and effective.

The Future of Our Cities: Open, Crowdsourced, and Participatory – John Geraci discusses ideas to encourage citizens participation in cities management and to increase cities planning efficiency. Services cuts and operational improvements are discussed with the citizens enabling an active role for the people in decision taking.

Stimulating FTTH investments in France – A excellent, brief and to-the-point reference on ARCEP’s current and future plans regarding investment stimulation in next-generation access networks. Takeaways: (a) symmetrical regulation, (b) differentiating regulation plans in zones with different population density, (c) in-building wiring, (d) encourage municipal participation outside prime residential/business centers

Europe must help telecoms help the economy – An interesting piece by Andrea Renda discussing on how EU can help telecom industry lead Europe away from the economic crisis. Her key points are: (a) better regulation framework, (b) promotion of advanced public services, (c) spectrum management, (d) facilitation of consolidation in the industry.

Telstra faces tough choices on FTTH broadband plan – An article published in The Australian discussing the prospects and concerns of Telstra that relates to the Australian FTTH national plan.

Carriers And Muncipalities Square Off In Broadband Fight – A short piece on the on-going debate in US about to whom should the money from stimulus package be granted, to municipalities or carriers? Quotes from Rob Atkinson, Jim Baller and Craig Settles.