Building the Gigabit City, Volume 2

Building the Gigabit City, Volume 2 is a great resource that helps rural and urban communities get faster, better broadband everywhere it needs to be. It delivers numerous success stories and top-notch background information, but without techno-speak or wonky boredom.

Building the Gigabit City fills a need for guidance that many communities have as they work to build these networks. Craig Settles is an internationally-recognized broadband expert and consultant whose latest book addresses:

* the business case for community broadband networks divided into four categories;
* the “hidden” money for broadband buildouts and how to uncover it;
* why healthcare and medical service delivery is the “sleeper” killer app;
* the co-op calvary that can charge in to save the day;
* how effective marketing of community broadband trumps competitors’ money; and
* building political consensus for public networks is your Ace card.

Mr. Settles begins by establishing a criteria for community broadband success, presents the business case for broadband and presents criteria that communities use to measure broadband success. He follows this with needs assessment guidance, highlights of various fundraising tactics and an overview of sound marketing practices. The book finishes with a chapter that discusses building consensus among your community stakeholders.

Building the Gigabit City reflects Mr. Settles' community broadband experience, analysis and strategy development skills that have established him as a thought leader on using public networks to transform education and healthcare delivery, improve local economies and increase government efficiency. The book's content also includes interviews from Mr. Settles radio show Gigabit Nation.