RS Fiber is getting some national attention from Governing. We’ve been following the story here as the community strives to create a path for getting better broadband throughout the whole community. Governing goes to Chris Mitchell (Institute for Local Self Reliance) for some national and community perspective…

The snail’s pace isn’t surprising, however. To date, only 150 communities have created city-wide cable or fiber-to-the-home networks in the U.S., according to Christopher Mitchell, an expert on community broadband networks and director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative, a nonprofit economic and community development consulting group.

While broadband access has become an essential tool for most municipalities to attract new business and thrive, financial issues, legislative concerns and private sector competition are the kinds of hurdles local governments need to address to create a publicly-owned broadband network. To achieve success, said Mitchell, local officials need to establish a vision of what broadband can do for their community and why they need it. Simply wanting cheaper or better broadband connectivity isn’t enough motivation to rally the community support that’s vital to establish a network.

Tangible goals, such as economic development or enhanced educational opportunities, have to be the main drivers behind the project in order for it to succeed. Once the main goals are established, then a city or county has to decide whether to build the network itself, or partner with existing telecom providers to get higher-speed services.

The article goes on to provide some advice for communities considering community-based broadband solutions, ending with a recap of Keys to Building a Community Broadband Network…

• Establish Goals: Cheaper access to broadband services isn’t a message that will resonate long term with the community. Tie the project together with clear-cut goals, such as economic development and increased educational opportunities.

• Recruit a Champion: Identify the person or group most passionate about the issue and enable them to spread the message about the network and its benefits at a grassroots level.

• Focus on Education: Governments can’t outspend private broadband providers, so decision makers need to speak early and often about the benefits a community broadband network can provide.

• Seek Private Financing: Using public tax dollars is always a challenge. If possible, seek private financing through revenue bonds.

• Stay Firm on Rates: Don’t over-compete with private providers on rates. A community broadband network’s strength is that it is publicly-owned and that should translate into better service.