Municipal broadband is a type of broadband internet access that is provided by a municipality, typically through a government-owned utility or a public-private partnership.
Municipal broadband can be deployed in a variety of ways, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), wireless, and cable. In the United States, there are over 500 communities that have deployed some form of municipal broadband.
The benefits of municipal broadband include increased competition in the broadband market, improved access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses, and the potential for economic development. Additionally, municipal broadband can help to close the digital divide by providing access to those who may not have otherwise had it.
The challenges of municipal broadband include the high cost of deployment, the risk of overbuilding existing infrastructure, and the potential for government interference in the broadband market. Additionally, there are often legal challenges associated with municipal broadband, as incumbent providers may attempt to block or restrict the development of municipal broadband networks. Why do states ban municipal broadband? There are several reasons why states might ban municipal broadband. One reason is that state legislatures may be influenced by the telecommunications industry, which may see municipal broadband as a threat to its business model. Another reason is that some states may view municipal broadband as a potential financial liability for cities and towns. Finally, some states may believe that municipal broadband is a matter of local control and that cities and towns should be free to decide whether or not to offer it.
How does city wide Wi-Fi work?
A citywide WiFi network is a network of wireless access points that cover a large geographic area, such as a city or town. The network is typically designed and implemented by a municipality or other organization, and is typically free or low-cost to use.
Users can connect to the network with a wireless device, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and access the Internet. The network typically uses a broadband connection, such as DSL or cable, and the wireless access points are typically spread out across the coverage area to provide good coverage.
Some citywide WiFi networks also offer voice over IP (VoIP) service, which allows users to make phone calls over the Internet.
Why do some cities only have one internet provider? There are many reasons why a city might only have one internet provider. In some cases, the provider may be the only company that offers service in the area. In other cases, the provider may be the only company that is able to offer service to the area, due to infrastructure limitations. In still other cases, the provider may be the only company that is willing to offer service to the area, due to the cost of providing service or the perceived risk of providing service to the area. Does the government have its own Internet? No, the government does not have its own Internet. The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and other devices that use the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to communicate with each other.
Why is it called dark fiber?
The term "dark fiber" typically refers to unused fiber optic cable that has been installed but is not currently lit or in service. Dark fiber can be leased by telecommunications companies or data center operators to create private networks with high capacity and low latency.
The term "dark" is used because the fiber is not currently transmitting a signal (i.e. it is dark), and because it is typically unused or unutilized.