The Chambana Broadband Connection

     Information, news, and discussion about UC2B, community broadband, and other topics

Desktop Computer and 19" Monitor for $145

VOLO BROADAND OFFERS DIGITAL EQUALITY COMPUTER WITH 19” MONITORS FOR $145

ve19" Read more »

Submitted by ray on Fri, 2011-12-16 17:43
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Volo Broadband Offers Digital Equality Computer Systems with 19” Monitors for $135 through Midnight on Black Friday.

Volo Equality Computers

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Illinois (November 22, 2011) - Volo Broadband’s CEO, Peter Folk, announced today that Volo is offering complete computer systems with 19-inch monitors for $135 until midnight on Black Friday.  This sale is part of Volo Broadband’s Digital Equality Initiative, a program aimed to help eliminate the digital divide. Read more »

Submitted by ray on Tue, 2011-11-22 14:54
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UC2B Bids Come In Over Budget

At the pre-bid meeting for UC2B's three construction projects, there weren’t enough chairs for all the contractors in attendance.  But when the bids came in, only three bidders submitted bids.  Two of those contractors, Western Utility and John Burns Construction, bid on all three portions.  Western Utility was the lowest bidder on the U of I’s and the City of Champaign’s portion, and John Burns Construction was the lowest bidder for the City of Urbana’s portion. Read more »

Submitted by ray on Thu, 2011-07-07 10:30
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UC2B Urbana bid released

Some confusion regarding document access, bidding procedures

With an email around 10:20am this morning, Mike Smeltzer broke the news to the electronic world that the first of three "Advertisements for bids" for UC2B backbone construction has been released. The Advertisement, signed by Urbana Public Works director Bill Gray, indicates that bids are due on June 21st, by 2pm, at the UIUC Facilities and Services building, 1501 S Oak St, Champaign, IL.

The announcement also appeared in Monday's News-Gazette Classifieds (section 599), but has not yet appeared on the Urbana website urbanaillinois.us.

One thing this announcement makes clear is that, UIUC Prequalification procedures will apply.  This differs from information that has been on the UC2B.net site for months, which states under Vendors: "Bidders on University construction projects are required to prequalify with the Illinois Capital Construction Board."  Another source of confusion is that the bid documents, which should be available for viewing at 706 S Glover Ave in Urbana, will apparently only be received at that location some time Wednesday.

Official announcement below.  Stay tuned for more UC2B news!
Read more »

Submitted by peter on Mon, 2011-05-23 20:21
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Marketing Subcommittee Meeting Summary 5/12/11

Discussion of UC2B Marketing and Outreach Update Recommendations

The Marketing Subcommittee met on Wednesday May 12th, 2011 at the Douglass Branch Library Meeting Room. The discussion surrounded the “UC2B Marketing and Outreach Update” document sent out by John Kersh. You will find this document attached at the bottom of this post, along with the other materials that were provided at the meeting. Read more »

Submitted by laura on Tue, 2011-05-17 13:40
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UC2B Update 5/10/11

Technical Committee and Policy Committee Meetings: Slow Progress

(Note: Two documents mentioned below will be attached as soon as they are made available: The IRU Subcommittee's recommendation and the full text of the Community Benefit Agreement)

The UC2B Technical Committee and Policy Committee both met during the first week of May.  A summary of the two meetings can be found below.  There is only one UC2B meeting this week (May 9th - 13th).  

UC2B Marketing Subcommittee Read more »

Submitted by laura on Tue, 2011-05-10 13:24
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eBlack CU Community Technology Workshop/Meeting Location Change

Due to a scheduling error, the Community Technology in C-U Meeting/Workshop Scheduled for this Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the Champaign Public Library WILL NOW TAKE PLACE at :

Salem Baptist Church, 500 East Park Street Champaign IL.

If you have shared this announcement with others please update them on this location change.
Read more »

Submitted by laura on Mon, 2011-05-02 15:58
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Policy Committee Meeting Summary 4/20/11

Major Topic: Community Benefit Fund

At the Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 20th, the committee discussed the Community Benefit Fund proposal, a possible future change order for the ring design to include production class facilities, an update on the lead agency negotiations, OSS/BSS specifications, and Gabe Jaja gave a presentation about his Certified Minority Biz system. Read more »

Submitted by laura on Fri, 2011-04-22 20:29
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UC2B Marketing Outreach Subcommittee

Key Questions for PC and Upcoming events

The UC2B Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee met on Tuesday April 12 at 5:00 PM in the City of Urbana Exective Conference Room.  The main topics of discussion were the Key Questions for the Policy Committee to Answer document, Prioriizing Activities, and Collaboration with the Open Access and Services Subcommittee.

The Marketing Subcommittee finaiized the following list of key questions to ask the Policy Committee Read more »

Submitted by ray on Fri, 2011-04-15 13:51
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Policy Committee Meeting Summary 4/6/2011

Discussion of Design Changes, Public Information Dissemination, and a Community Benefit Fund

The Policy Committee met on Wednesday, April 6th at noon in the Champaign City Council Chambers. The discussion mainly surrounded possible design changes, public information dissemination, and the policy for a Community Benefit Fund to achieve digital equality. All related documents are attached below. Read more »

Submitted by laura on Thu, 2011-04-07 19:00
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