[GTALUG] ConnectTO: assemble a coalition to bid on municipally-owned fiber

[Toronto Free-Net - ConnectTO committee]

The City of Toronto is developing a pilot project, ConnectTO, to provide
gigabit, fiber-to-the-premises Internet, in neighbourhoods most impacted
by COVID-19.  If the pilot succeeds, the city will consider expansion.
The city seeks outside parties to build and run this network.

We want to see this initiative succeed and grow to become a credit to
our city.  We want this network to respect privacy, follow standards,
and deliver multi-gigabit speeds at affordable prices to everyone.

We are assembling a coalition of civic-minded groups and individuals.
Our aim is to work together, gather the community's collective wisdom,
pool resources, and, together, bid to run the city's network.

Interested?  Contact us:

  tfnl-connectto-discuss at torfree.net
  416 204 9257
  www.torfree.net

Or join our teleconference, this coming Thursday at 7 pm:

  when:        Thu 15 Apr 2021 19:00
  where:       zoom
  meeting ID:  86145956197
  passcode:    590781

  by web browser:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86145956197?pwd=OU9xQTMzRmNLWlRzSlB1V2t6dkdQZz09
  by telephone:
    647 374 4685
    647 558 0588


Some background information:

The City of Toronto's plans for ConnectTO.

  * http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.EX20.8
  * https://www.toronto.ca/news/connectto-program-aims-to-increase-digital-equity-and-access-to-affordable-high-speed-internet-in-toronto/
  * https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-council-approves-program-to-increase-access-to-affordable-high-speed-internet-in-toronto/


The 2008 sale of Toronto Hydro's fiber.

  The city has entered this world before: in the early 2000s,
  Toronto Hydro laid ~400 km of fiber in the downtown core.  Toronto Hydro
  was then instructed to sell off those assets.  The fiber was purchased
  by a commercial Internet provider in 2008.

    * https://corpo.cogeco.com/cca/en/press-room/press-releases/cogeco-cable-acquires-toronto-hydro-telecom-inc/


Toronto Free-Net's aims.

  We believe that a city's Internet infrastructure, whether underground
  or aerial, should be considered a utility, like tap water and sewers.
  Fiber plant and backhaul should be kept under democratic control and
  run with an open, transparent, not-for-profit mindset.

  We want to ensure that:

    * gigabit speeds to the premises finally become a reality across Toronto.

    * prices are kept proportional to real costs, not inflated artificially.

    * a basic level of access is provided to all, at a nominal or zero price,
      so that Internet-based services, essential to daily life, are always
      reachable, even by the most disadvantaged.

    * the network is not absorbed by commercial, monopoly interests.

    * private communications (Internet traffic) are respected,
      not monetized nor infringed in other ways.

    * open, standardized protocols are obeyed,
      not gamed for competitive advantage.

  We also want to:

    * Strengthen citizens and organizations who want a free, open,
      transparent Internet -- nurture their capabilities and foster
      communication and cooperation.

    * Inspire the public to treat the online world and the technological
      infrastructure which enables it as a public commons, essential to
      Canadian democracy, rather than as mere products, obtained through
      commercial transactions.


Who we are.

  Toronto Free-Net is a non-profit and Toronto's oldest surviving Internet
  provider, founded in 1993.

EOF