Conclusion

More than 900 communities across the country today are served by community and tribal broadband networks, which are essential to expanding access to the internet, increasing adoption, and improving quality of service.¹ These networks—maintained by city governments, tribal nations, rural utility cooperatives, and other local institutions—create public options for broadband that can challenge incumbent private providers by delivering higher-quality and more affordable internet, and reaching more underserved communities than private providers would.

In light of these benefits, it’s time to allow communities to invest in their own social and economic success and remove legal barriers to community networks. The case studies of FairlawnGig, NextLight, and YurokConnect demonstrate how these networks can expand economic opportunities by connecting people to online services, telehealth opportunities, e-learning, and jobs, and attracting new businesses to the area. Policymakers should acknowledge the value of community broadband networks and support, rather than undermine, efforts to build them. The Community Broadband Act, for example, would prevent states from creating laws that prevent cities and localities from creating their own broadband internet networks. Doing so will improve internet access and affordability, better connect people to new opportunities, strengthen local economies, and help close the digital divide.