Municipal Broadband: A Guidebook for Fiber Communities

“Municipal & Utility Guidebook to Bringing Broadband Fiber Optics to Your Community” is an insightful publication by Public Technology Institute which aims to serve as a reference point for local authorities that want to bring broadband reality into their communities. The study includes an analysis of four US municipal broadband projects, namely: Bristol (Virginia), Burlington (Vermont), Jackson (Tennessee), Reedsburg (Wisconsin). What makes this publication worth reading is the level of details by which each of the 4 case studies is analyzed.

We are much accustomed to read articles or see presentations on municipal projects that are completely stripped out of any useful implementation detail that could help a community with similar endeavours. This publication goes beyond that. The document describes in good detail the challenges faced (technology, business, regulation etc.) by the municipal authorities and how these challenges were eventually addressed.

This is a good reading for all municipal authorities with broadband aspirations.