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I prepared this presentation as part of a project for a class in Community Informatics at the University of Michigan School of Information. Port Orford, Oregon, is a town that, despite years of trying, still lacks viable broadband internet. this presentation is a part of a larger project and paper. Incidentally, Port Orford is quite right next door to my hometown, Langlois.
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Foreground image source: Virginia Tech Department of Forestry
The Broadband Saga:The attempt to get broadband in
Port Orford, OR
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Source: Downtown Fun Zone
Port Orford, Oregon
Source: City of Port Orford
Port Orford, Oregon
Source: U.S. Census 2000
Population: 1,153White: 1,100
65 and over: 315Bachelors degree or higher: 180Median household income: $23,389
Below poverty level: 205
Community profile
Internet options
● Dial-up access
● 56kbps
● Accelerated dial-up
● $9.95 and up
●
● Satellite
● 512kbps to 1.5mbps
● $49.95 to $79.95
What they miss out on
Source: C.A. Smith
Port Orford Public Library Downtown Fun Zone
Driftwood School
Publicly accessible?
Potential benefactors
The broadband saga:Coos-Curry Electric
2003:
Invested in NoaNet
The broadband saga:Coos-Curry Electric
2004:
Withdrew from NoaNet
Potential benefactors
The broadband saga
2004:
Port Orford Public Library
Downtown Fun Zone
The broadband saga:Verizon
2004:
Ron WydenU.S. Senator
The broadband saga:Verizon
2004:
“ We can't make a profit in Port Orford. ”
Potential benefactors
The broadband saga:Carroll's Web
2004:
Downtown Fun Zone
Potential benefactors
The broadband saga:Charter Communications
2005:
The broadband saga:Charter Communications
2005:
National Cable & Telecommunications Association
vs.Brand X Internet Services
Potential benefactors
The broadband saga:CurryISP, Inc.
2006:
Community ConnectBroadband Grant Program
The broadband saga:CurryISP, Inc.
2006:
“ Telecommunications companies can't make much profit offering broadband in a town our size, so I realized that if we're going to have high-
speed internet here, we're going
to have to do it ourselves. ”
R. Scotty AublePort Orford TodayApril 20, 2006
The broadband saga:CurryISP, Inc.
● Supporters:● U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
● Chamber of Commerce
● City Council
● County Commissioners
The broadband saga:CurryISP, Inc.
● Hangups:● Couldn't get 501(c)(3) status
● Disqualified from grant on technicality
● Nonprofits can't deliver internet service
The broadband saga:Port Orford Internet, Inc.
Downtown Fun Zone
Where they're at now
● City Council Committee
● In June 2007, the city council created a citizen committee to find a way to get high speed access
●
● Charter comes back
● After pressure, a general manager from Charter Communications added a request to broadband in PO into the 2008 budget.
Where they're at now
Port Orford
Gold Beach
Brookings
Bandon
Coos Bay
