Washington State Moves Closer to Lifting Muni Broadband Restrictions

Choose wisely, Gov. Inslee

As reported by CBAN Associate Member Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has TWO bills to consider that make it easier for municipal broadband networks to be built in the state. 

While both bills are better than the status quo, H.B. 1336 would be better for community broadband advocates. It gives public entities unrestricted authority to provide telecom and internet services to end users. ​

---

The other bill that passed (by a much wider margin), S.B. 5383, would allow public entities to provide service, but only in areas where incumbent ISP's aren't already offering 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speeds. That would severely limit WHERE community networks can be built.

The hope of community broadband advocates is that Governor Inslee will SIGN H.B. 1336 and veto S.B. 5383.