That the City Manager is requested to develop a plan to achieve the above policy goals as it relates to the digital divide

City of Cambridge O-7 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL May 7, 2018 COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN MAYOR MCGOVERN VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX COUNCILLOR SIMMONS WHEREAS: High speed broadband service is not currently available to Cambridge residents, and it is estimated that around 5,000 households in Cambridge do not even have broadband internet service at home; and WHEREAS: Those without reliable broadband access – particularly low-income households – are at a significant disadvantage when seeking employment, educational opportunities, and when looking to access timely information in regard to City services; and WHEREAS: Internet access is indispensable in the 21st century, and Cambridge should never be a city where residents are unable to access the internet or access the fastest available internet service; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to develop a plan to achieve the above policy goals, which includes, but is not limited to including, the following items: 1. A clear quantitative and qualitative understanding of the digital divide in Cambridge 2. A plan developed in partnership with the Cambridge Housing Authority and other relevant agencies that ensures affordable broadband access to all public housing complexes in Cambridge in the years prior to the 2025 deadline stated below 3. An analysis to understand the feasibility and impact of utilizing or expanding the City-owned fiber optics network, City-owned conduits, and City rights of way via conditional leases to provide broadband service under terms that satisfy Cambridge’s policy goals (below) 4. Review and propose, if necessary, updates to the City’s “dig-once” policy to ensure optimal installation of conduits for leased access by third-party ISPs; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in defining “Affordable Broadband Access” to mean broadband internet service available at home in at least 3 price categories: • Low: $15/month or less for 25 mbps • Medium: $50/month for speeds above 25 mbps • High: $100/month or more for speeds at or above 1 gbps; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Council go on record adopting the following aspirational policy goals to close the digital divide: 1. Ensure universal affordable broadband access in Cambridge by 2025 2. Ensure universal affordable broadband access to all public high school students in Cambridge by 2020 and provide City-subsidized equipment where appropriate/necessary (e.g. take-home wireless access points) 3. Prioritize disadvantaged communities in pursuit of these goals 4. Seek revenue neutral or revenue positive approaches, as appropriate, at all times in pursuit of these goals.