What communities should do during the planning phase of a broadband project – and what they can save for later

The traditional telecom model is not working. For a locality to succeed with a municipal broadband alternative, it can’t just duplicate the incumbent model.

Broadband Communities’ 2017 census of municipal and public-private fiber networks now shows 216 active projects – and many more in preliminary stages.

Citizens and local elected officials should be able to control their communities’ broadband destinies.

Building next-generation gigabit architecture and outstanding subscriber experience into today’s networks is a sound investment.

As electric utilities consider fiber network plays, well-thought-out designs will be key to their success. Here’s how Huntsville Utilities used value engineering to control fiber network construction costs and hone its plan.

When you can’t fund a communitywide network, your best strategy may be funding today’s best-served areas.

The technology challenge for a rural community is closing the gap between the digital infrastructure that is profitable for commercial providers but serves only part of the community and the infrastructure necessary to serve all community members. Local leaders, driven by a clear, aspirational vision of their community’s future, can proactively address this gap.

Providing broadband locally – with help from electric utilities – can be a good way to anchor rural economies.

In communities throughout the United States, people of all political persuasions know their economic vitality and quality of life depend on access to robust broadband.

To deliver broadband cost-effectively, a community’s best option may be to partner with the incumbent telephone company.

To ensure their economic survival, communities must be active participants in broadband planning.