At Broadband Communities’ 2019 economic development conference, held in October in Alexandria, Virginia, participants shared stories about how communities are improving broadband access to facilitate economic development, digital literacy and consumer choices. Following are some of the highlights of the conference sessions.

Blown fiber systems offer numerous advantages over traditional fiber systems, including reduced material and installation costs, fewer fiber connection points, simplified repair and maintenance, and a migration path for future applications.

At the Broadband Communities economic development conference in October, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks delivered a powerful call to make internet inequality across the United States a thing of the past. A data-driven review of what has and hasn’t worked over the past 10 years will help determine the path forward, he says.

As open FTTH networks emerge again in the United States, investors dedicate capital to community networks that will support an array of traditional internet, telehealth and building management services.

In Sweden, municipal broadband is the rule rather than the exception. That changes everything.

Ocala adds residential internet-only FTTH services to a multipurpose fiber network that will help it become a smart city.

Building out a 5G network will require a new set of network standards and operational methods. Operators should establish a set of best practices around planning, cost-to-revenue analysis, and architecture choices.

Service providers should look to their already deployed Wi-Fi networks to support emerging motion-sensing and smart-home monitoring services.

Broadband providers must take the long view and build networks that will meet consumers’ rapidly rising demand for bandwidth well into the future.

Individuals and government alike worry about TikTok’s foreign ownership.

The rise of streaming doesn’t mean traditional pay TV is dead. With some creative strategies, it can even thrive.

Internet providers and building owners that want to offer gigabit services should investigate G.hn technology and reuse the existing copper wiring or coax cabling.

Questions about kids’ screen time and digital privacy are not going away, and parents, advocacy groups and the government are grappling with how to respond.

Facilities-based IoT can boost a multifamily building owner’s net operating income and give building management and maintenance staff insight into how HVAC, security and alarms run across a property via a cloud-based connection.

Multifamily broadband providers should consider offering music streaming services as a way to avoid the commoditization trap.

Consumers’ desire for on-demand content drives migration away from traditional linear TV.

A new study finds that inadequate broadband may be a major reason for low adoption of telemedicine. Other experts argue that even slow broadband can help build rural health care capacity.

Abundant, inexpensive bandwidth could boost health care efficiency, efficacy and capacity – but only if a number of barriers are overcome.

Though there are still challenges to implementation, smart technology – from thermostats to lighting – stands to benefit everyone.

This year’s show featured advanced aerial cameras, multifunctional TVs and even high-tech cookware.

Depression and anxiety are major problems for teenage social media users.

Rural providers are taking aim at rural businesses with fiber and DOCSIS 3.1–based broadband services. But providers must educate this segment about using these new services to become more viable in the online world.

A forward look at live sports streaming

As boomers transition to senior housing, keeping up with technology needs is crucial.

Smart home technology is a hot new trend. How does a provider know which vendor to pick – or whether a DIY approach would make more sense?

Before adopting smart-city technologies, communities should make sure they have processes in place to ensure the success of their projects. American Planning Association research identifies best practices in this emerging field.

Cord-cutters are starting to boomerang back to traditional pay TV after finding that over-the-top services are no less expensive.

Parents and children watch the same screens but have different reactions.

Telehealth holds the promise of reducing health care costs and improving health outcomes. However, inadequate broadband in both rural and urban areas prevents telehealth services from reaching those who most need them.

Telehealth is beginning to prove its worth as a means of delivering better health care at lower cost. Better broadband is needed to make the promise of telehealth a reality.

The internet of things promises to streamline municipal functions. Key to the success of any smart-city initiative is a robust fiber backbone.

Villanova and Rutgers universities share new research on a hot-button subject.

The consumer tech industry celebrated its mid-summer product launches at CE Week. Our reporter checked out all the new gadgets so you don’t have to.

Digital culture embraces movies, TV, games, music, virtual reality and online viral hits. The blurring of the lines, the proliferating remixes and the cross-platform references don’t faze today’s digital-native kids.

Highlights of the 2018 Broadband Communities Summit held in May in Austin, Texas

SXSW EDU 2018 made clear that as education technology advances, the demand for fast, reliable broadband will continue to grow.

This column introduced the Generation Z audience in last year’s May-June issue. New research sheds more light on the first “native internet” generation.

In March, 36 local elected officials from Next Century Cities member communities sent the following letter to the FCC in defense of local decision-making for 5G investments, small-cell deployment and the use of public rights-of-way.

In this issue, the New World of Video column takes a break from video to address a trend that will soon affect all aspects of life – including video services.

Living without pay TV isn’t as hard as it sounds. All it takes is great internet access.

Here’s a good-news story: The drive to provide high-quality internet service to U.S. schools has made tremendous progress, and the goal of universal connectivity is within sight.

Viewers develop strategies for sorting through streaming, SVoD, cable and other video platforms to find shows to watch.

Has Disney traded the cable TV model for a handful of magic beans?

Property owners should secure their buildings’ smart technology.

Cable providers need better ways to appeal to viewers who have new viewing habits – and better ways to measure viewer engagement.

As video streaming services become more sophisticated and add original content, they compete ever more effectively with traditional pay TV. What strategies can cable operators use to keep their customers?

The newest generation isn’t easily impressed. What can broadband providers do to win over these skeptics?

Exciting new technologies are coming your way, and they all require lots more fiber.