Cities across the nation have made a transition to community broadband networks which has been proven to increase affordability, provide more service options, increase customer service quality and enhance service speeds. These are all terrific aspects of community broadband networks but how do these networks actually work?

Public Policy Only

Municipalities utilize it’s public policy tools to determine how these networks will develop within their community. Many development aspects are streamlined such as designing, constructing, and managing the jurisdiction of the broadband network. With this model, municipalities need to establish funds to assist with certain policies.

Public Services Provider

These providers generally utilize fiber to connect multiple public organizations with wireless connectivity.

Open-Access Provider

The municipalities that will adopt this model will generally own a decent amount of fiber optic networks within their communities. This model enables competition among the service provides in the community which is ultimately all owned by the local government. The municipality will remain neutral towards the multiple service providers in the area. The government will lease access to each provider and set a standard rate structure and terms of service.

Infrastructure Provider

This model will lease assets to community organizations and broadband providers which use their fiber to connect one another. Many providers have deployed their services by building their own fiber networks to purely service municipal functions.

Retail Provider – Business Only

This model is when municipalities deploy broadband networks to support local economic development needs. Local governments will equip their business districts with fiber infrastructure which provides quality and affordable service options.

Retail Provider – Residential & Business

Municipalities that provide service to residential areas. Some local governments will offer triple-play services that include phone, internet, and television services.

Public-Private Partnerships

This model provides an innovative solution to the municipal broadband issue of a local government investing in broadband without operating the broadband network. LanCity Connect falls under this model. These partnerships will bring in multiple partnerships to plan, fund and build the network within the municipality’s jurisdiction.

This is all great information for all of you that would like to get a better understanding of the community broadband models that have been implemented across the country. To learn more about these different models, click the link to read the full article.