Cleveland seeks plans for $20 million project to provide broadband access to 50,000 residents within a year

Cleveland (OH) is seeking proposals for how to provide broadband internet to city residents through a $20 million plan funded by COVID stimulus money. The city released its request for proposal for the first phase of a project, funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars after Mayor Justin Bibb promised more details about the project would be released in June. Ideally, the city seeks plans that could provide broadband access to 50,000 residents within a year of the plan’s “deployment” and would provide devices to those in need, according to the request for proposal. Plans that want to be considered in the highest category should provide download speeds of at least 350 mbps and upload speeds of more than 100 mbps, with plans to increase those speeds to match consumer demand over time, according to the request for proposal. The RFP also calls for plans to make sure the project is deployed in a way that fights “digital redlining,” requires little maintenance, offers plans that don’t exceed $23 per month and taps other sources of government funding to bolster the project.