Understanding What Makes Broadband Champions

Broadband champions can be the decisive factors in efforts to improve community connectivity. The work of broadband champions has been shaped by the particularities of their broadband contexts: the local political will, the existing providers, the topography, and the wide-ranging motivations and strategies. What they have in common is their dedication, which has proved to be crucial in helping their communities get high-speed broadband. Since June 2023, I have published six profiles from various Michigan communities, showcasing how eight broadband champions adapted to the distinct needs and situations of their communities. Today, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society published Could It Be Me? Should It Be Me? Understanding What Makes Broadband Champions, the results of my examination to understand the stories of broadband community champions and the factors that contributed to their success. This analysis categorizes the champions based on traits and actions such as technical expertise, formal roles, and leadership self-identification. We have classified their activities based on how they educated, communicated, and inspired stakeholders, collaborators, and the community. This report examines the broadband champions, drawing from the research presented in the previously published profiles. Analyzing across the profiles, I developed a taxonomy of the different kinds of broadband champions: connectors, multipliers, and visionaries.