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"Are you a small business that wants high speed broadband in New York City? You're in luck! There's a competition available to get you just what you need. To compete, you must:\xa0\nSwim across the Hudson River in freezing water,\xa0chanting "I want my fiber", \xa0holding onto your laptop at all times,Pray to the gods to shine their light so you can beg to get some broadband. Offer them a goat as a sacrifice (Vegans can use turnips),You must show why you really,\xa0really,\xa0really,\xa0need a broadband connection and demonstrate what the "potential impact of fiber on your business and the feasibility of fiber construction to your building."\nThis\xa0bit of sarcastic wit from guest Bruce Kushnick, Exec. Dir. of New Networks Institute, highlights a deadly serious problem: true highspeed\xa0Internet access that meets the needs of businesses and residences\xa0doesn't exist in many urban centers. Kushnick explains to listeners how they can meet and overcome this challenge, even if Katniss is too busy to help at the moment.\xa0\xa0\xa0\n\nBeginning with his take on new Mayor Bill de Blasio's initial steps to attack the problem in New York, Kushnick discusses how constituents there and elsewhere can leverage existing cable franchise agreements to try to counter some of the negative aspects of the announced Comcast/Time Warner merger. He also presents tactics for influencing local\xa0broadband policy, using incumbents cross-subsidization practices against them, and ultimately, doing whatever's possible to facilitate additional competitors with highspeed broadband\xa0into urban markets.