Public broadband count swells to nearly 450

According to a new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, at least 47 new municipal networks have come online since the beginning of 2021, increasing the overall count to nearly 450 nationwide.

The new wave of projects range from large to small, from full public operation to the open conduit network in the city of West Des Moines, Iowa. Regardless of size and business model, these public projects are bringing better broadband - and consumer choice - to many Americans.

“Dozens of cities, ranging from five thousand and a hundred thousand residents alike, have decided that enough is enough. Instead of pleading with, or giving additional handouts to the monopoly ISPs, they’ve decided to invest in themselves. It’s exciting to see so much happening, especially since we know our numbers are not completely exhaustive as there are no doubt cities building networks that have not yet become active or reported service to the FCC.”  - Christopher Mitchell, ILSR

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The article also points out that these public broadband successes have brought the anti-municipal forces. Dark money groups, fueled by big telecom companies, are continuing to expand efforts to undermine municipal broadband nationwide.