Broadband: 21st-Century Infrastructure

[Commentary] For decades, when it came to infrastructure and potential, the cities with a well developed network of roads, bridges, rail and subway lines, as well as good electrical and water utilities, were considered world leaders. Now, local governments are expected to have a digital infrastructure consisting of cable and fiber with deep penetration into every neighborhood, if they are to compete regionally, nationally and even globally. Broadband is now essential for 21st-century communications and commerce.

A growing number of studies point to the fact that cities that lack wide adoption of broadband will struggle when it comes to educating and graduating students with the skills needed to advance in college or for sustaining an economy that is increasingly tech-driven. Local governments also have an opportunity to cut costs by creating more online services, but only if there’s close to universal adoption of broadband in the community.