Small communities increasingly see municipal broadband as a means to drive economic growth

Municipal broadband networks, an idea that some in the cable business believe looks a lot better on paper than in practice, may be on the verge of a breakthrough. As ultra-high-speed internet service becomes increasingly important to economic growth — at least four presidential candidates have mentioned muni broadband as a way to goose local economies — municipal broadband is increasingly being looked upon as a low-cost way for consumers to get access to the high-speed data they need, and giving local governments an inroad with businesses and employers. On the flip side, cable operators have tried to block muni networks at almost every gate, arguing they cost too much, unfairly compete with incumbent operators who have invested heavily in rural infrastructure and represent a potentially massive tax liability to consumers when they fail. The truth, as with a lot of issues in the communications business, lies mostly in between. But no matter which side you’re on, one thing is increasingly clear: municipal broadband is gaining steam and some communities are finding innovative ways to finance and maintain projects. And the risk, as many areas are finding out, is becoming worth it.