Municipal broadband refers to high-speed internet services provided by local governments or municipalities to residents and businesses within their jurisdiction. This approach is often taken in areas where traditional commercial internet service providers have failed to deliver affordable and reliable broadband access. Municipal broadband initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that all members of the community have access to fast and affordable internet connections, regardless of their income or location. In 2021, the City of Albany created the Municipal Internet Commission to determine the feasibility of establishing a municipal broadband service. In July of this year, the Commission delivered their final report in which they determined that it is feasible and essential for the city to provide affordable internet connectivity for all.
“It is the considered and collective opinion of the commission that it is both feasible and critical for the City of Albany to establish and oversee the creation of a municipal broadband internet network to increase digital equity, provide quality higher speed and consistent service, and encourage market competition to reduce costs to city residents and businesses.”
City of Albany Commission on Municipal Internet Service
Final Report (July 2023)
Municipal broadband initiatives can take various forms, such as building and maintaining fiber-optic networks, partnering with private companies, or offering low-cost Wi-Fi in public spaces. The City of Albany Municipal Internet Service Commission examined all of these models, and recommends the creation of at least three-tiers of service: First, a no-cost consumer service fast enough for web-browsing, sending emails, streaming video, and meeting over video; second, a low-cost, high-speed “Fiber To The Home” service; third, a gigabit service for businesses and high-bandwidth consumers. Municipal broadband can promote economic development and innovation within a community: Reliable high-speed internet is essential for businesses to thrive in the digital age, attracting new industries and entrepreneurs to the area. Additionally, municipal broadband can improve educational opportunities, enable telecommuting, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents by providing access to online services, streaming, and telemedicine.
This Digital Inclusion Week, the Friends & Foundation of Albany Public Library urges you to learn more about the work of the Municipal Internet Commission and to share your comments with the Mayor’s office or your Common Council member. Read below to see the six recommendations from the Commission or watch their presentation to the Common Council.
Recommendations for Municipal Broadband in Albany
- Create the Office of Municipal Broadband and position of Albany Municipal Broadband Coordinator.
- Establish a public-private partnership to develop a comprehensive municipal broadband solution.
- Form a Broadband Advisory Committee to monitor the development and operation of the broadband network service.
- Request New York State legislative representatives to create and support legislation to permit local governments to establish a Municipal Broadband Authority.
- Prefer a mesh network configuration for the broadband network.
- Aggressively pursue all grant and funding opportunities to minimize costs to taxpayers and businesses.
Presentation by Craig Waltz and Martin Robinson from Municipal Internet Commission on August 30, 2023.
This presentation summarizes the Commission’s final report and details the Commisson’s six recommendations.
