Forging the Fiber Future

[Commentary] It is absolutely essential that the next administration work with Congress and local government leaders to get fiber policy right. Here are a few policy ideas to accelerate fiber deployment in Next Century Cities communities so they can realize the promise of next-generation wireless:

• Infrastructure bank support for fiber deployments
• Federal “Dig Once” and “Climb Once” policies
• Streamlined permitting for access to federal lands
• Clarifying community broadband policies

[O’Boyle is Deputy Director at Next Century Cities and Program Director of Media & Democracy Reform Initiative at Common Cause]