Resource Guide

Competition

For all the communities that lack access to broadband, there are many more that lack a competitive broadband environment. The result is a low level of choice and agency for consumers, limited partnership opportunities for local governments or organizations, and uncompetitive pricing. The following resources explore models and policies that each level of government can consider to foster broadband competition and create a thriving digital ecosystem. 

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Article

America’s broadband moment: Creating a broadband competition policy agenda

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

This resource outlines five significant ways that all levels of government can encourage broadband competition. It explores the impacts of federal grantmaking, state policy and local choice, multi-tenant building agreements, community institutions, and pricing data on broadband competition at the local and national level.

Article

If we build it, will they come? Lessons from open-access, middle-mile networks

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

A policy brief arguing for increased competition and broadband deployment to address issues faced by residential and small business customers. The resource focuses on the construction of open-access, middle-mile networks as a solution.

Report

Profiles of monopoly: Big cable and telecom

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

This research uses federal broadband data to analyze the status of broadband competition throughout the U.S.

Blog

Open access resource hub

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

This collocation of resources focuses specifically on open access networks. It includes definitions, case studies, financing information, and many other resources.

Report

Wholesale fiber is the key to broad US FTTP coverage

Diffraction Analysis

This white paper argues that wholesale, open access networks are a cost-effective and efficient way to bridge the digital divide and foster a competitive environment.

Report

Enabling competition & innovation on a city fiber network

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

This paper provides a case study of how the city of Ammon, Idaho leveraged its fiber network and network virtualization technology to create a competitive local broadband environment.