The report, "Broadening Broadband," concluded that muncipal broadband creates local control over an increasingly essential service - the Research Bureau likened broadband to libraries and parks - and would give the city a broader reach, which could result in more equity, higher speeds, and economic development.
The bureau noted that the need for access to reliable, affordable internet has been made even more urgent in the age of COVID-19, when parents are working from home and children are telecommuting to school. There are instances where municipal government is responsible for connecting people to the internet. The schools had been working on addressing issues of "tech equity" that were only exacerbated by COVID-19.
The pandemic forced students into an online learning model, even though thousands of students did not live in internet-connected households, the report said. It created both hardware and connection problems. Some students have received Chromebooks and WiFi hotspots, but the start of the school year is looming, with talk of a hybrid home/classroom model.
The report found that around a third of city households lack broadband internet, and 18% do not have internet access of any kind. The city is served by one wired broadband provider, Charter Communications. The report argues that in other areas of the country where there is a monopoly situation, it has led to a lack of competitive pricing or infrastructure investment. The report suggests that Worcester's top residential download speed of 100 megabits per second is slower than other areas because there is only one provider.
According to the report, more than 560 municipalities nationwide run their own internet networks, including Shrewsbury. The report acknowledges that cost will be a factor in the city's decision, if it chooses to explore a municipal network. According to the report, Springfield explored the idea and estimated it would cost around $50 million to build its own network. The report said there are some grant and state and federal funding mechanisms to help with design and infrastructure work.
For the full report, visit The Research Bureau website.
©2020 Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
