The following article was published by Light Reading:
As public broadband networks expand across the US, so too does the body of knowledge on how to launch and run them successfully.
Tapping into that knowledge for the greater good is central to a new program launching from the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB), which aims to connect communities that are considering rolling out public broadband networks with others that have successfully done so.
"We're excited to match AAPB members with communities seeking to take control of their broadband futures," said Gigi Sohn, executive director of AAPB, in a press release, adding that she hopes the program will help "demystify" the process.
AAPB announced the program this week with the intent to launch this fall. In the meantime, the group is soliciting applications for both mentors and mentees and working to find proper matches.
In terms of what's expected of mentors, AAPB's application reads: "We are asking volunteers interested in mentoring another community to set aside 1-2 hours per month to provide feedback and be available to answer questions."
In addition to developing a mentorship program, AAPB earlier this year released a handbook on helping communities build their own broadband networks. That handbook, published in partnership with the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, offers relevant resources and concrete steps for planning public networks while navigating hurdles.
'Strength in numbers'
The new mentorship program comes as public broadband networks increase across the country. As per the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), there are more than 400 municipal broadband networks in operation today, serving over 700 communities (200 of which are served by an open access network).
ILSR data further shows that an average of 15 municipal networks have launched annually over the last decade, which is more than double the number of public networks launched per year between 2001 and 2008.
But Sohn wants to grow those numbers further and faster.
"I'd like to double the number of people who are served by public broadband in the next five years," she told Light Reading.
Noting that she knows of "dozens" of communities considering public broadband, Sohn said of the mentorship program: "I think it would be helpful for those communities to talk to somebody who's done this to say, 'Okay, this is not insurmountable. No, it's not easy, but it's something that you can do.'"
The goal to grow the field of public broadband providers is strategic. As Sohn puts it, public broadband advocates have been on defense, largely against lobbyists for incumbent cable providers opposed to public broadband networks. Sohn believes "strength in numbers" will help public broadband providers and advocates go on offense as well, and make it harder for incumbents to claim the model a failure.
'Affordability gap'
While unserved and underserved communities across the US will soon get access to funding from the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Sohn notes that she's also urging communities to think "beyond BEAD" when it comes to considering starting a public broadband network. "If you live in those areas that are considered 'served,' which is the vast majority of the country, you're not going to be saved" by BEAD, she said.
But communities can inject broadband competition through public networks. Indeed, Sohn added that growing access to public broadband is particularly important now that Congress allowed the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to expire. The ACP was providing a $30 monthly subsidy for roughly 23 million US households up until the program ran out of funding at the end of May 2024.
Pointing to the tendency of public broadband networks to connect 100% of their communities, and offer a price point disconnected from the needs of shareholders, Sohn said growing access to municipal broadband "can fill the affordability gap left by the demise of the ACP."
The full article is available here.
Comments