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Learn how states can promote rural broadband access through proactive policies, preserving local choice, and supportive state actions. Collaboration and federal policies also play a crucial role in expanding broadband connectivity. Contact Cat Blake, Policy and Program Manager at nextcenturycities.org for more information.
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Cat Blake, Policy and Program Manager cblake@nextcenturycities.org What can states do to promote rural broadband access?
Proactive policies Dig Once • Cuts costs • Promotes competition • Minimizes disruption
Proactive policies One Touch Make Ready (“Climb Once”) • Cuts costs • Promotes competition • Streamlines deployment timeline
Keeping all options on the table Image courtesy of MuniNetworks.org
Preserve and promote local choice Municipal broadband networks • Across the U.S., about 500 municipal networks connect communities that otherwise had been left behind • 26 states have laws that roadblock or outright bar municipal networks
Preserve and promote local choice Cooperatives • Across the U.S., over 100 cooperatives connect communities to gigabit broadband • Electric and telephone cooperatives were built to serve rural communities that weren’t invested in by commercial providers
Preserve and promote local choice Small cells & 5G • 5G is only realistic in select markets • Local leaders are widely supportive of 5G investment • Collaboration between municipalities and vendors will help ensure smooth and equitable deployment • There are 22 state laws - and an additional 5 that are pending - that strip local control over small cell deployment
Supportive state actions • Grant and loan programs (that are supportive of local solutions) • Mapping and data collection • Coordination and collaboration with municipal and federal efforts • Include broadband access in other state-level conversations, such as economic development, education, and healthcare
Federal policies • Infrastructure bill • Broadening eligible service areas • Creating carve-outs for areas served by a provider that has received federal funds in the past • Mapping
Cat Blake, Policy and Program Manager cblake@nextcenturycities.org nextcenturycities.org