How Telecom Monopolies are Blocking Better Internet Access, and What We Can Do About It

Monopoly control of high-speed internet access is leaving many Americans — particularly rural communities and communities of color — disconnected, underserved, or, at best, paying too much for substandard service. While community scaled internet service providers are more effective at delivering fast, affordable, and reliable Internet, monopolies, state-level regulations, and other factors stand in the way of these locally driven solutions to America’s broadband challenges. The report recommends a range of policy actions for improving broadband at the local level, including:

• Removing state laws that discourage or prevent local governments from building or partnering for broadband networks.
• Supporting a diverse range of locally-based solutions, including municipal broadband networks, partnerships between communities and locally-owned companies, and telephone and electric cooperatives expanding into broadband service. 
• Establishing state broadband grant programs and issuing state bonds to help localities build broadband infrastructure.