How to empower Community Internet

To make the internet more affordable for communities in a sustainable way, rather than relying on temporary solutions like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), here are several long-term strategies:

1. Municipal and Cooperative Broadband Networks

• Communities can develop their own broadband networks to avoid dependence on large private ISPs. Municipal broadband is often cheaper and provides better service as it prioritizes community needs over profits​​.
• Example: Sherburne, New York, offers $10/month for 100 Mbps broadband through its municipal network​. Communities that control their own networks can set reasonable pricing to ensure long-term affordability​.

2. Community Ownership Models

• Setting up community-owned networks where local residents or businesses take part in owning and operating the network can reduce costs by focusing on community benefit rather than corporate profits​​. This model increases local accountability and provides communities with the flexibility to tailor services to their needs​.

3. Building Public-Utility-Style Networks

• Classifying broadband as a public utility would ensure regulatory measures that promote affordability, equity, and service quality. By reclassifying broadband, communities could impose rules on ISPs to offer more reasonable rates, or manage the infrastructure themselves to keep costs low​​.

4. Innovative Deployment Models

• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and other innovative technologies can help reduce deployment costs, especially in rural areas. These technologies avoid the expensive and time-consuming process of laying fiber optic cables while still providing high-speed connectivity​.
• Mesh networks and LTE solutions like those pioneered by community technology efforts provide scalable, decentralized options to manage internet traffic more affordably​​.
• Open Access internet is a network architecture that allows multiple service providers to offer services on the same physical network. This model separates the network’s physical access from the delivery of services, allowing subscribers to choose their service provider. Free market competition increases affordability.

5. Subsidized and Cooperative Financing

• Communities can access a variety of grants and funding programs for broadband infrastructure, such as those from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or other state-level programs​​.
• Partnering with cooperatives and electric utilities, which often have existing infrastructure and community ties, is a cost-effective way to develop broadband networks​​.

6. Bundling Internet with Other Utilities

• Internet costs can be reduced by bundling them with homeowners’ association (HOA) fees or utility bills in multi-dwelling units (MDUs). This allows communities to negotiate wholesale rates for bulk purchases of internet services​.

7. Community Coalition Efforts

• Forming digital inclusion coalitions brings together local stakeholders, including non-profits, governments, and businesses, to pool resources and expertise. Coalitions can advocate for better pricing, digital literacy programs, and equitable access​.

By adopting these strategies, communities can foster long-term affordability for internet access and reduce reliance on temporary subsidies like ACP.