Broadband in the woods and drumlins?

Gee I wish I could get really good cellphone coverage at the Writing Studio and Bait Shop. That way I could take phone calls while waiting for my slow dialup to load a web page. Hmmm. There seems to be a pattern here. Much as I love technology, it seems that it is financially unrewarding for technology to love me back. You too? 

Seven northern Michigan internet service providers have formed an alliance that just might change all that.  Not the cellphone part, but the internet access part.  I posted their release –  Northern Michigan High-Speed ISPs Form Unprecedented Partnership – on a page of its own so that you can read it for yourself.  But what will it really mean for Torch Lake Township?

Then I heard from Supervisor Bob Spencer:

Increasingly, I have been approached by residents who are very interested in improving (and very frustrated about the lack of) availability of high-tech internet options here in Torch Lake Township. Whether improved broadband capacity, availability of HDTV signals via cable, phone bundling options, etc., there are many residents who would appreciate expanded options over those currently available. Your elected officials are also interested in helping to expand such options.

Let’s meet to informally discuss possible options available to improve our current circumstances.

To that end, I’m scheduling a meeting at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 22, 2008 at the Township Hall. Please let me know if you are available to attend this meeting. Also, feel free to invite any other township residents whom you feel would be interested in coming.

Thanks!

Bob Spencer

I’ve added that meeting to the new Community Calendar page.

Finally, I’ve been attending meetings of the Northern Michigan Broadband Cooperative, and was even admitted to the steering committee.  I’m somewhat ambivalent about that particular effort, but I’ll tell you a whole lot more about it after Thursday’s session in Gaylord.  

I figure if you’re reading this, you probably have at least a passing interest in these matters.  Feel free to post questions.  Even better, post answers!