The Cost of Connectivity in Ammon, Idaho

Municipal broadband networks can have a positive impact on their communities. Municipal networks, often managed and operated fully or partially by local governments, exhibit a high level of responsiveness to consumer needs and lower prices than larger internet service providers such as AT&T and Comcast. Municipalities also prioritize tangible infrastructure goals, including connecting entire cities and developing community anchor institutions as centers for innovation and technology literacy. In Ammon, city officials worked with community stakeholders and partners to develop a local solution to a local problem. Their project began as a variety of small projects, including efforts to connect public schools to advanced public safety grids, and has since grown into today’s thriving open access network. When local communities guide long-term planning for digital networks, they benefit greatly.