Podcasts Technology Gigabit Nation Crowdfunding to Pay for Broadband Networks? Yes, Please.

Crowdfunding to Pay for Broadband Networks? Yes, Please.

Published: Aug. 6, 2012, 6 p.m.

b'Since over $240 million has been raised for projects using Kickstarter, it is logical to believe that community broadband advocates can use crowdfunding successfully to raise money for network projects.\\n Today\'s guest is Jase Wilson, founder of the civic crowdfunding platform Neighbor.ly, whose motto is "Invest in places and civic projects you care about." Wilson discusses the in\'s and out\'s of capitalizing on what he calls\\xa0"ordinary fundraising supercharged by the Internet" to support broadband projects.\\xa0\\n We explore how crowdfunding can underwrite needs assessment and planing, build pilot projects, support broadband adoption and ultimately fund infrastructure buildouts. With the right mix of creative and hard working constituents, this strategy is a viable pathway to broadband success.'