Design Nine: Library: Design Nine White Papers

Other papers of interest
A collection of papers from other sources that we believe are of special interest. Each paper is formatted as PDF file. Click on the title to download it.

Topic Area	Title	Description
Community and municipal broadband	Community Broadband: Separating Fact from Fiction	A lengthy report by the APPA (American Public Power Association) that makes an extensive argument that communities have the right to provision community broadband systems. Long, but very readable, and refutes the most common telco arguments against such investments.
Municipal Broadband	Providing Ubiquitous Gigabit Networks In The United States	A paper by the IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers) that says the prosperity of the United States is threatened if the country does not begin investing in high speed, Gigabit networks. A useful paper to counter telco and cable company claims that DSL and cable modems are all we need.
Municipal Broadband	Connecting the Public: The Truth About Municipal Broadband	This paper makes a thoughtful case of public investment in broadband. Among the data presented is the fact that the number of private sector service providers goes up in communities with public broadband, contrary to some reports. An excellent position piece to provide to appointed and elected officials who need more information about the subject.
Impact and outcomes of municipal broadband	Telco Lies and the Truth about Municipal Broadband Networks	A carefully researched paper that compares telco statements about several community broadband projects in the U.S. to the actual outcomes and impact of the projects.
Economic development benefits of municipal broadband	Broadband and Economic Development: A Municipal Case Study from Florida	Lake County, Florida experienced 100% greater growth than surrounding counties because of the public investment in a communitywide fiber system.
Municipal Broadband	Government Participation in Telecommunications Services: A Vital Link to Economic Development	A very readable paper that makes the case that municipalities should have the right to make their own decisions about what services to offer citizens. This paper has a large dose of just plain common sense in it, and after reading it, you may wonder why this stuff seems so hard for some people to figure out.
Voice over IP and the rights of consumers with respect to broadband services	Remarks of FCC Chairman Michael Powell, Voice on the Net Conference, 10/19/2004	A short but very important document in which Powell argues that Voice over IP represents a revolution, not just a new way to make a phone call. Perhaps even more important, Powell describes his four Internet Consumer Freedoms.
The rights of towns and cities to engage in telecommunications ventures	Brief for the Consumer Federation of America to the Supreme Court of the United States	Don't be put off by the court document formatting of this paper. It is an excellent and very readable background piece that systematically addresses every single issue raised by incumbent providers and shows why cities and towns should and must be able to invest in telecommunications. It's actually much shorter than it appears, due to the formatting and extensive footnotes, which can be ignored. Required reading for any community telecom effort.
Telecom glossary of terms	CENIC Telecommunications Glossary of Terms	CENIC is the nonprofit corporation that manages California's statewide education network. They have compiled an excellent, easy to read, easy to understand glossary of telecommunications and technology terms.
Telecommunications infrastructure and the rights of communities to invest	City of Bristol, Virginia vs. the Commonwealth of Virginia (and a bunch of other folks)	A marevelously clear and brief legal decision from the Federal District Court in Virginia. The City of Bristol sued the Commonwealth of Virginia because the state had passed a statute forbidding communities from getting into the telecom business. Check page 3, where the judge says, "Any means any."
Wireless as a broadband last (first) mile strategy	Breaking the Chains: Unlicensed Spectrum as a Last Mile Solution	An extensive and thorough study of wireless as a last (first) mile solution, from the New America Foundation. Focuses on policy issues and strategies, and contains short case studies of successful efforts. Not technically oriented, so it is a very readable paper.
Organizational issues, leadership, transforming the workplace	The Democratic Company	Traci Fenton is one of our great new thinkers, and this paper lays out a vision for the organization of the future. Well-organized and easy to read, with many, many good ideas for managers and leaders.
Democracy, governance, leadership	American Principles of Self Government for the Layman	Michael Reber is another rising new thinker. His paper provides an excellent overview of "where we came from." Recommended for everyone, in this age when governance seems to consist mostly of shrill carping and one way "dialogue."
Telecommunications, broadband, community infrastructure	Universal Service in Rural America: A Mandate at Risk	Universal service is poorly understand, seemingly even by the FCC. This paper by OPASTCO (independent phone companies) provides an extensive discussion of the whole spectrum of issues. They have an extensive series of recommendations (that not everyone would agree with), but it is very useful to know where the independents stand on this issue. Also an extremely useful glossary of telecom and policy terms.
Community and social patterns, effects of technology on communities	Creating Heart Capital	A short, wonderfully written paper by Sunil Malhotra that might be summarized as "people matter in communities." A refreshing look at the things that are important in our lives (hint--it's not buying more technology). A good read for anyone starting a community technology project.
Leadership, community transformation	The Worm Hole of Generative Dialogue	Rick Smyre is one of the great thinkers of our day, and Design Nine is fortunate to have him as a staff member. This paper examines the need for new ways and approaches of dealing with organizational and community issues.