For Immediate Release: September 12, 2024
Media Contact: Sean Gonsalves
Interactive Map Shows Rise in Municipal Broadband Networks, Unveils Nationwide Trends
[MINNEAPOLIS] — As the number of municipal broadband networks continues to rise across the nation, today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) unveils its new interactive Community Networks Map, which not only pinpoints where these networks are located but also provides a graphic illustration of emerging trends.
“At first glance, it’s striking to see just how many communities have decided to solve their own local connectivity challenges by building publicly-owned, locally-controlled networks after being left behind or neglected by the big monopoly Internet service providers,” said Ry Marcattilio, associate director for research with ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative.
“The map, which relies on community-level data we have collected for nearly 20 years now, shows more than 400 municipal broadband networks in operation today, serving more than 700 communities. A third of those networks provide high-speed Internet access to nearly every address in the communities where they are located,” Marcattilio added.
But that just scratches the surface. Because the map is interactive, users can explore the various types of municipal networks that span the U.S.
Additionally, by exploring the layers of data embedded in the map, users can also see a variety of emerging community broadband trends and insights, which include:
- The rising tide of municipal broadband. Between 2001 and 2008, an average of six new municipal networks came online per year. Contrast that with the last 10 years, which have seen that average jump to 15 new networks per year — even when accounting for the slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 16 states still restrict or ban cities from building and operating their own telecommunications infrastructure. But in the last three years, Washington, Arkansas, and Minnesota have removed their preemption laws.
- Municipal networks serving their neighbors are increasing. Utah’s UTOPIA Fiber serves 22 different communities. EPB Fiber in Tennessee serves nine. In Vermont, new public partnerships between more than 200 communities will see an explosion of publicly owned infrastructure there.
- But it’s not all about size. Iowa, Massachusetts, and Tennessee boast the highest number of municipal networks in the nation in their respective states.
- Open-access networks, which supercharge competition and benefit households, are also on the rise. Today, almost 200 communities are served by an open-access network.
- Municipal networks are often rural, mostly small, and always mighty. The average community served is just 16,000 people. However, almost a quarter of the networks we track offer ten gigabit-per-second service (Gbps), and many operate low-cost plans to help households facing economic challenges.
“We designed the map to be user-friendly so that local or state leaders interested in municipal broadband – as well as researchers and journalists – can actually see what the municipal broadband landscape looks like in every state across the country,” Marcatillio said. “And we’re adding more this fall, including Tribal networks and tools for others to interact with our data more directly.”
About the Institute for Local Self-Reliance:
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has a vision of thriving, equitable communities. We are a national research and advocacy organization that partners with allies across the country to build an American economy driven by local priorities and accountable to people and the planet. The Community Broadband Networks Initiative is a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance that works with a diverse group of allies, partners, and local communities on policies to improve local Internet access. Through the initiative, we also research and document what communities nationwide are doing to improve access to high-quality broadband at Communitynets.org.
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Find more community broadband resources on CommunityNets.org.