POR 2018-135
Asked the City Manager to develop a plan to achieve the above policy goals as it relates to the digital divide
the fourth paragraph by striking out the word “above” and insert thereof the word “below.”The clerk's words, from the minutes of May 7, 2018, p. 19.
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Present and voting at this meeting (9)
Alanna Mallon
Craig A. Kelley
Dennis Carlone
E. Denise Simmons
Jan Devereux
Marc McGovern
Quinton Zondervan
Sumbul Siddiqui
Timothy J. Toomey
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.