Like Politics, All Broadband Policy Is Local

Even though community broadband has proven itself incredibly valuable and viable, broadband is taking a beating in some areas of the country thanks to what has become a siege against municipal broadband by the large telecommunication incumbents, including AT&T, Comcast, and others. This effort has led to a backlash against municipal broadband in some states, depriving communities of a well-tested option when it comes to high-speed connectivity to the Internet and the digital economy. The only way we can fight back is to start with reliable, locally generated data from those in the trenches. This is critically important. Nobody knows about local economies like economic development professionals, community groups, elected officials, co-ops and other local organizations. If communities don’t have their expertise at the table in Washington (DC) and state capitals, local broadband could lose big. So, if they won’t seat you at the table, bring a chair.       

[Craig Settles assists cities and co-ops with business planning for broadband and telehealth. He is currently surveying economic development professionals nationwide about the impact of telehealth and community broadband.]