Electricity 2.0: Small cities rush to innovate on Wi-Fi

Some less-populated areas may technically have internet, but it's slower satellite, or DSL service delivered over old copper phone lines. So some towns have taken matters into their own hands, experimenting with novel solutions to connect unserved residents or give them new options to existing services:

• In Wilson (NC), the community-owned Greenlight fiber network serves residents and provides free Wi-Fi downtown and to schools and libraries. (A state law now bans cities from operating their own ISPs.)
• In Fort Collins (CO) the voters passed a ballot initiative to allow the city to build its own high-speed network. Fort Collins expects to pay off the $150 million it raised through bonds and debt in 14 years.
• In San Francisco (CA), the city has asked for proposals to build a city owned and operated ISP that would compete with Comcast and AT&T.
• In Boston (MA), the Boston Housing Authority has partnered with Starry, a 5G company, to provide free and low-cost service to public and affordable housing residents.
• In MI's rural upper peninsula, local provider Packerland Broadband partnered with Microsoft via its initiative to use vacant TV frequencies and a mix of other technologies to deliver service.