COMMUNITY-BASED BROADBAND SOLUTIONS - THE BENEFITS OF COMPETITION AND CHOICE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HIGHSPEED INTERNET ACCESS - January 2015

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jake

Affordable, reliable access to high-speed broadband is essential to U.S. economic growth and competitiveness. Upgrading broadband enables new internet uses, increases productivity for individuals and businesses, and drives innovation across the digital ecosystem. While federal and private investment expanded networks since 2009, many areas remain unserved or underserved, and competition is uneven—especially at higher speeds and for rural last-mile connections. The report explains how community-based broadband networks can improve competition, reduce costs, and strengthen local development and adoption.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages37

Reading Time1 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Economic Benefits of Broadband

Challenges in Broadband Access and Adoption

Broadband Competition

Community-Based Broadband

Chattanooga, TN: Gigabit service drives investment, innovation

Wilson, NC: Municipal broadband encourages private competition

Lafayette, LA: Network increases customer savings, strengthens local anchor institutions

Scott County, MN: Municipal government sees savings for county, school operations

Leverett, MA: State and federal programs enable local investment

Choctaw Nation Tribal Area, OK: Public private collaboration brings broadband to new communities

Promoting Broadband that Works

Appendix 1: U.S. Municipalities with Broadband Networks

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COMMUNITY-BASED BROADBAND
SOLUTIONS
THE BENEFITS OF COMPETITION AND CHOICE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HIGHSPEED
INTERNET ACCESS

| | | The Executive Office of the President | | |

January 2015 | | Contents Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................3 Economic Benefits of Broadband......................................................................................................5 Challenges in Broadband Access and Adoption ...............................................................................6 Broadband Competition ..................................................................................................................10 Community-Based Broadband ........................................................................................................13 Chattanooga, TN: Gigabit service drives investment, innovation..............................................13 Wilson, NC: Municipal broadband encourages private competition.........................................14 Lafayette, LA: Network increases customer savings, strengthens local anchor institutions....15 Scott County, MN: Municipal government sees savings for county, school operations ...........16 Leverett, MA: State and federal programs enable local investment...........................................17 Choctaw Nation Tribal Area, OK: Public private collaboration brings broadband to new communities..................................................................................................................................17 Promoting Broadband that Works..................................................................................................18 Appendix 1: U.S.Municipalities with Broadband Networks..........................................................20 Executive Summary Affordable,reliable access to high speed broadband is critical to U.S.economic growth and competitiveness.Upgrading to higher-speed broadband lets consumers use the Internet in new ways, increases the productivity of American individuals and businesses, and drives innovation throughout the digital ecosystem.As this report describes, while the private sector has made investments to dramatically expand broadband access in the U.S., challenges still remain.Many markets remain unserved or underserved.Others do not benefit from the kind of competition that drives down costs and improves quality.To help fill the void, hundreds of towns and cities around the country have developed their own locally-owned networks.This report describes the benefits of higher-speed broadband access, the current challenges facing the market, and the benefits of competition – including competition from community broadband networks. ~ Since President Obama took office, the United States has significantly expanded its broadband network and increased access.Investments from the federal government have helped deploy or upgrade more than 78,000 miles of network infrastructure since 2009,and more than 45 million Americans have adopted broadband Internet during the President’s time in office.Today, more than 90 percent of Americans can access the Internet on a wired line and 98% by either wired or wireless connection. Competitive markets have helped drive expansion in telecommunications services as strong infrastructure investments and falling prices have opened up a wide range of new communications products and services.Where there is strong competition in broadband markets today, it drives similar improvements. Unfortunately, competition does not extend into every market and its benefits are not evenly distributed.While the U.S.hasan extensive network “backbone” of middle-mile connections (long, intra-or interstate physical fiber or cable network connections) with the capacity to offer high-speed Internet to a

FAQs

Why is high-speed broadband considered critical for U.S. economic growth and competitiveness?

Upgrading broadband allows consumers to use the internet in new ways, improves productivity for individuals and businesses, and supports innovation across the digital ecosystem.

What major access problems does the report highlight for broadband markets?

Some areas remain unserved or underserved, and many consumers lack access to critical last-mile connections, particularly in rural regions.

How can public policy and community-based broadband networks help address limited competition?

The report argues that fostering competition and consumer choice can reduce costs and improve service quality, and that locally owned community networks can introduce competition where it is missing.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jake