http://mountainx.com/news/digital-disconnect-some-buncombe-rural-residents-get-left-behind/
The Mountain Xpress examines the rural broadband needs and the gap between urban and rural areas.
Note: there are some factual errors in the story.
http://wraltechwire.com/north-carolina-sues-fcc-over-wilson-community-broadband-decision/14647645/
The State of North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against the FCC seeking to overturn the recent (Feb 2105) decision relating to preemption. The issue at hand is federal versus state rule.
Before I present the link to this article, I want to point out that this is NOT about AT&T or any specific incumbent broadband provider. Rather, this is an all-too common occurrence in rural America. Companies tell potential customers about available speeds, but once they look into the matter, it’s determined that the speeds aren’t available. Frankly, many companies don’t truly know what they can actually deliver until someone requests the service. Only then do they physically look into the infrastructure and determine what is available.
When AT&T promises broadband—but delivers only 300kbps
The ERC is pleased to welcome Justen Casey as its newest team member. Justen came to the ERC as an intern via Dr. MaryLynn Manns of UNC Asheville. After working with the ERC for several months, and having valued his contributions to the team, the decision was made to extend an offer and to our delight, Mr. Casey accepted.
“With Google Fiber preparing an expansion into Charlotte, North Carolina, incumbent cable operator Time Warner Cable is trying to hold onto customers by dramatically increasing Internet speeds at no extra charge.”