Description
Local community policies and a lack of local coordination are often major hurdles to broadband providers, as they work to expand their networks and advance access to broadband services. This solution seeks to streamline this process, by eliminating unnecessary policies, consolidating information, and appointing a single point of contact that can ensure that the community is working as efficiently as possible with providers and gaining access to the networks and services that are needed. All community stakeholders, local governing bodies, agencies, utilities, etc. should meet and identify all of the local policies, regulations, and permits required of a telecommunications provider. These disparate elements should be organized into a set of requirements, and a website established with all necessary forms available electronically and capable to be electronically signed. This group will also appoint a single point of contact (SPOC) for all telecommunications infrastructure development projects. This individual should be the community liaison with providers, assist both the community and the providers through any necessary communications, and work through any necessary issues. As a commitment to this process, the local governing bodies should pass language that requires this. along with agreed-upon times for responses to provider outreach, permit approval times, and authorizes the SPOC.
Goals
Provide a framework through which a community can demonstrate that they are a “Digital Ready Community” that has streamlined policies, cleared barriers, and is committed to making broadband infrastructure deployment in the community a priority. Being a Digital Ready community can result in several benefits:
- It provides the community with the opportunity to understand their requirements and makes it easier for the community to assist and work with providers who seek to expand services.
- It gives providers a centralized location to identify necessary regulations, and the opportunity to work with a local jurisdiction to address those regulations in an effective manner.
- Through the Community Broadband SPOC, a liaison is established that helps providers and the community work together and improve communication.
Actions
Action 1 – Conduct an initial meeting of involved parties, with a request that any needs/concerns they have related to broadband be brought to this formative meeting.
Action 2 – Hold a second meeting of this group (and any others who were identified during the first meeting) to review the local regulations and requirements, and to discuss any new requirements that may have been thought of.
Action 3 – Hold a third meeting to review the final list of local regulations and ensure that the responsible bodies have the necessary action items to amend those requirements/policies and to identify the Community Broadband POC candidates.
Action 4 – Pass the necessary language in the governing bodies to amend any necessary regulations or policies, as well as authorizing the SPOC according to local law.
Action 5 – Publish the list of requirements along with the necessary electronic documentation as well as the contact information for the SPOC.
Action 6 – Promote the Digital Ready Community site and SPOC, and apply for Certification by completing the application and submitting all necessary documentation
Responsible Parties
Local government, utilities, planning commissions, zoning boards, other right-of-way managers, etc
Resources
MN Telecommuter Forward: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/telecommuter-forward-application-model-resolution-word_tcm1045-413760.docx
Indiana Broadband Ready: https://www.in.gov/indianabroadband/2632.htm
Tennessee Broadband Ready:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/ecd/documents/broadband/Broadband_Ordinance_SAMPLE.PDF
Georgia Broadband Ready: https://broadband.georgia.gov/media/4/download
Stark County, Indiana Ordinance for a Broadband Ready Community: http://co.starke.in.us/ordinances/2020/Ordinance%20for%20a%20Broadband%20Ready%20Community.pdf