[DrRon Suarez]

Questions About Funding Allocation and Prioritization:

1. How does the allocation of BEAD funding toward incumbent ISPs impact the long-term goals of digital equity in Michigan compared to community-owned broadband networks?

   • Follow-up: What mechanisms are in place to ensure that this funding truly benefits underserved communities rather than reinforcing existing disparities?

2. Given that a significant portion of BEAD funding is expected to go to incumbent ISPs, how can communities ensure they retain control over their broadband infrastructure and prevent future monopolization?

   • Follow-up: Are there provisions within BEAD or other funding programs that prioritize community-owned networks over corporate-owned models?

Questions About Sustainability and Community Benefits:

3. What are the long-term economic and social benefits of investing in community-owned broadband networks compared to relying on incumbent ISPs to provide services?

   • Follow-up: How can Michigan leverage these benefits to boost job creation and entrepreneurship within local communities?

4. In what ways do community-owned broadband networks contribute to more resilient and sustainable infrastructure compared to the infrastructure built and maintained by incumbent ISPs?

   • Follow-up: How do these models ensure better accountability and responsiveness to community needs?

Questions About Equity and Access:

5. How do community-owned networks ensure that all residents, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have equitable access to high-speed internet compared to the coverage provided by incumbent ISPs?

   • Follow-up: What strategies can Michigan employ to support the development of these community networks to close the digital divide?

6. With the end of programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), what role can community-owned networks play in ensuring continued affordability and access to broadband for low-income households?

   • Follow-up: How does this compare to the approach taken by large ISPs receiving BEAD funding?

Questions About Innovation and Local Control:

7. How can community-owned networks in Michigan foster innovation and entrepreneurship in ways that might be limited under the control of incumbent ISPs?

   • Follow-up: Can you share examples from other states or regions where community ownership has led to significant technological or economic advancements?

8. What are the potential risks and challenges of relying heavily on incumbent ISPs for broadband expansion, and how might community-owned networks mitigate these risks?

   • Follow-up: What safeguards are necessary to ensure community networks are viable and competitive?

Questions About Policy and Advocacy:

9. What steps can local governments and communities in Michigan take to advocate for more equitable distribution of BEAD funding, ensuring it supports community-owned initiatives?

   • Follow-up: How can communities navigate state-level legal barriers that may inhibit the development of municipal broadband?

10. How does the community’s involvement in decision-making differ between community-owned broadband initiatives and projects led by incumbent ISPs receiving federal funding?

    • Follow-up: How can Michigan’s communities ensure that their voices are heard in the planning and implementation of broadband projects?

These questions aim to highlight the differences in approach between community-owned networks and incumbent ISPs, emphasizing the potential for greater equity, local control, and long-term benefits with the former. They also encourage discussion about how policy and funding decisions can support or hinder these outcomes.