There are many options for our communities to become Gigabit Cities. One option is to establish a public-private partnership between the municipal government and a fiber network operator. According to Smithville Communications and City of Jasper Embark on Gigabit Public-Private Partnership in Telecompetitor, many “government and economic development leaders are quickly equating economic development and community competitiveness with the ability to offer gigabit services.”
You have already heard that America has fallen behind many other countries in terms of average broadband speeds, unless you have been living under a stone the last few years. According to the Ookla Net Index, as of October 16, 2014, the United States ranked 27th with an average broadband download speed of 30.2mbps.
If Ohio communities want more investment and economic growth, real competition can be the needed incentive. Competition can also bring other immediate benefits. This has played out quite clearly through the events in the broadband industry over the last year.
