Bakowski, A. (2005). Municipal Telecommunications Policy: A Guide to
New Technologies. The Municipal Advanced Telecommunication
Infrastructure Project (MuniTIP) CACP Policy Report.
http://www.cacp.gatech.edu/Policy/munitip.php
Direct link to report: http://www.cacp.gatech.edu/Policy/MuniTip/munitip.pdf
This report outlines a process, and a set of assessment tools to assist policy makers in making informed policy decisions about what role (if any) a municipality should take in initiating or providing a local broadband network. The report is based on the research of the Municipal Advanced Telecommunication Infrastructure Project, which examined public sector involvement in the deployment of advanced telecommunications infrastructure, such as broadband. The recommended assessment process is comprehensive, and includes the following steps: Initiate Process;
Review Materials and Scope of Project; Determine Rationale; Conduct Situational Analysis; Political/Regulatory Environment; Competitive Services/Providers; Stakeholder/Community Assessment; Analysis; Environmental/Baseline Analysis; Services; Funding; ROI/Cost/Risk; Technology Selection; Outcome Evaluation/Scenario Development. See Appendix 6 (p. 66) for a detailed outline of the process model.
The report outlines six policy options for municipalities who want to enhance local broadband (p. 25). These are: 1) develop a municipally owned infrastructure; 2) expand/augment current infrastructure; 3)create public/private partnerships; 4) create public/non-profit partnerships; 5) stimulate the marketplace; or 6) do nothing. The report also covers key topics such as national, state, local, public
and private roles in broadband infrastructure (p. 7), and provides a reference section with short descriptions of selected resources (p. 34).
