Policy Order O-9

WHEREAS: Cambridge is dominated by a single broadband provider and lacks the type of competition that would typically incentivize appropriate pricing, upgraded infrastructure, and excellence in customer service; and

WHEREAS: According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2011 the United States ranked 15

WHEREAS: Lack of competition in other communities has created an environment conducive to poor service, price fixing, and other undesirable business practices; and

WHEREAS: Nearly 400 communities around the United States have implemented and managed their own municipal broadband networks, often still in competition with private industry; and

WHEREAS: A municipal broadband network or other public internet access solution could help bridge the digital divide, providing subsidized internet access to residents who could not otherwise afford it; and

WHEREAS: A municipal broadband proposal would research broadband models, such as fiber infrastructure, mesh networks, and other viable alternatives and would contrast financial viability, service speeds, timeline for various alternatives; and

WHEREAS: A municipal broadband proposal would also consider the way in which corporate or municipal broadband fees ought to help fund services like CCTV, just as cable television fees do; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a task force composed of experts, residents, the Cambridge Housing Authority, and representatives from the local universities charged with developing a municipal broadband proposal for Cambridge, potentially also including extension of city fiber into public housing properties; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the task force to hire necessary consultants in order to aid feasibility research as part of this proposal.