Municipal broadband is not a fleeting trend. More than 350 municipalities across the globe are building their own network or partnering with local providers to extend existing infrastructure and bridge the local digital divide.
In the US, broadband accessibility and affordability is a pressing problem across urban and rural communities. Municipalities are choosing between deploying fiber to the home or premises-based network and a wireless broadband network using Wi-Fi access point hot zones, wireless mesh or pre-WiMAX technology. Before the community can move forward with a technology decision, they must first decide why the network is necessary. Exhibit 1 depicts common reasons that lead municipalities to pursue a broadband build. Understanding the goals of broadband buildout helps municipalities make decisions surrounding funding, technology selection and other important criteria.
Although there are many proponents and opponents of municipal broadband, the movement will continue to develop because of the need to bridge the divide and ensure that certain communities keep pace with the digital age. Comparing and contrasting case studies of fiber to the home (FTTH) and wireless broadband deployments provide insight into the costs involved, and the benefits of each technology to the community.
Em Foco – Projecto