Seattle Mayor Says Muni Broadband No-Go Without ‘Aggressive’ Federal Support

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray urged a more “aggressive” role by the federal government to support municipal broadband initiatives. In a keynote address, the democrat said he was “very excited about municipal broadband” when he came into office, but changed his mind when he learned such a program would result in the largest tax increase in Seattle history. Instead, the city last year launched a strategy that includes reducing regulatory barriers and signing public-private partnerships.

Murray hasn’t given up on municipal broadband, but it will require assistance from the federal government, he said. "We have explored options around municipal broadband, and there may be strategies that would work. And it may be ultimately the best way to solve the issue of the divide. But we’re not going to be able to do it, as we’re not going to be able to do a lot of things, unless we see an aggressive approach by federal government to work with local jurisdictions to make that possible. … Hopefully, at some point, we'll have a partner once again in D.C.”

NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling raised his hand during a keynote later in the day. "I'm here to offer NTIA as your partner and to urge you to take advantage of our expertise on these issues," he said in reply to Murray. The agency’s Broadband USA program provides technical assistance, guidance and resources to communities seeking to expand broadband, he said.

Another mayor from Washington state said she would like to see a presidential candidate weigh in on state restrictions on municipal broadband networks. Several states -- including Washington -- have had policies that limit cities' ability to launch municipal Internet services (see 1603170038). “On a political level, I get highly irritated by some of the rhetoric around this idea that states should tell the cities what they should do infrastructure-wise,” said Mayor Jill Boudreau of Mt. Vernon. “As a mayor of a small city … it irritates me to no end that they think that they should weigh in to protect … private interest.”

The Obama administration has a policy that communities should decide what broadband works best for them, said David Edelman, special assistant to the president for economic and technology policy. “Community broadband … is a solution that is working all over the country for a number of cities. It is not a solution that will work for every city. It is not a solution that will work for every community.”

Edelman advised communities to apply for funding available under the administration’s various broadband programs, including ConnectED, ConnectHome and the recently announced ConnectALL (see 1603090082). “This is progress that every community can seize,” said Edelman, referring to ConnectED. “The resources are there. We’ve helped in the federal government to line them up. There is nothing magic about our ability to deliver these sorts of partnerships. The resources are there, but what is needed in every state, in every city, in every school in this case, is leadership.”

The U.S. has made some progress at closing the digital divide since 2013, but much work remains, said John Morris, associate administrator and director-Internet policy for NTIA’s Office of Policy Analysis and Development. NTIA released data Monday showing small increases in Internet usage by several demographic groups that have historically lagged in Internet adoption. “We are somewhat closing the gap,” Morris said on a panel about digital inclusion. “It’s clear that we still have an awful lot of way to go.”

Internet usage by African-Americans increased to 68 percent in 2015, from 64 percent in 2013. Usage by Hispanics increased to 66 percent from 61 percent, and usage by American Indians and Alaska natives increased to 70 percent from 61 percent. Internet use among people ages 65 or older increased to 56 percent in 2015, from 51 percent. Usage among people with no high school diploma increased to 58 percent from 54 percent, while usage among those with a diploma but no college degree increased to 67 percent from 64 percent.

Looking at the entire population, 75 percent were online in 2015, up from 71 percent in 2013, NTIA said. The Internet usage figures don't necessarily indicate a person has Internet access at home, but refer to the ability to go online at any location, including home, work or another place. The data comes from the Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS), which included about 53,000 households. The survey was done for NTIA by the U.S. Census Bureau in July 2015.

Cost remains one of the biggest hurdles slowing broadband adoption, Morris said. “Expense is still a very critical point.”