That the City Manager ask the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs. 

POR 2026-08 FIRST IN COUNCIL January 26, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR ZUSY COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER VICE MAYOR AZEEM WHEREAS: Access to the internet, a modern utility, is a vital part of everyday life and essential for the citizens of Cambridge; and WHEREAS: In 2014 the City formed a Broadband Task Force to work on issues of internet access and evaluate the city’s internet infrastructure with a final report delivered in 2016 with recommendations for future actions including a municipal broadband feasibility study and ways to ensure digital equity; and WHEREAS: The city completed a citywide comprehensive digital equity study in 2021 which was a result of City Council actions and was meant to serve as a foundation for the city’s future digital equity and broadband initiatives; and WHEREAS: In 2023 the City further published a report on Municipal Broadband Feasibility & Business Model Options; and WHEREAS: In February 2025, the Council also passed Policy Order #13 requesting the City Manager to create a plan with a schedule and milestones to move forward the creation of a Municipal Broadband Network; and WHEREAS: It is critical that we ensure that underserved audiences have internet access, which is very expensive; and WHEREAS: To achieve this, over the past almost decade, the city has partnered with many to implement internet access programs; and WHEREAS: In 2016, MIT, Google, Boston Properties, the City of Cambridge, and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), established a free Wi-Fi network at Newtowne Court and Washington Elms public housing—this continues to function; and WHEREAS: In December 2024, with $1.1m of ARPA funds, Cambridge funded a three-year test program between Starry and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) to provide internet access to the residents of the Frank J. Manning, Washington Elms and Newtowne Court apartments; and WHEREAS: In 2022, the CHA launched a computer training program for senior residents at a few CHA properties, including Manning apartments, offering free chromebooks, funded by Google; and

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge also provides public Wi-Fi in our schools, libraries and public buildings the Cambridge Public Library offers a Digital Equity Initiative, offering free tech classes, help and take out technology and CCTV, with the City, offers a Digital Navigator Program offering free laptops, hotspots and essential tech training; and WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Library just received a grant of $100,000 to further fund their digital navigator program and equipment to provide greater internet access; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs; and be it further ORDERED: That this evaluation include exploration of the federal USAC Lifeline and BEAD programs; and ORDERED: Despite near-term financial challenges, the City Manager is hereby requested to retain Municipal Broadband in capital project planning for the coming years. In City Council February 9, 2026. Adopted as Amended by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0. Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk