A Perspective from Across the United States By Sonja Reece Mayor Pro Tem, Normal, Illinois The Role of Local Authorities

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Local Elected Leaders Role Assure essential services are provided Business, citizens drivers for broadband Majority US cities just becoming aware Pres. Bush set goal: “Universal, affordable broadband access by 2007” Will be up to locals to design and implement

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Public vs. Private Providers Big issue in US Large private providers oppose public role 14 of 50 states prohibit/limit public providers Prohibited –Arkansas –Missouri –Nebraska –Nevada –Pennsylvania –Texas Limited –Florida –Minnesota –South Carolina –Tennessee –Utah –Virginia –Washington –Wisconsin

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece 12 states considered but chose not to prohibit cities Private providers have taken the issue to the national level Elected official’s role to keep city’s options open NLC supports S. 1294, the Community Broadband Act, introduced June 2005 by Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ) and McCain (R- AZ) The issue is in Congress

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Why Elected Officials Interested Economic Development Princeton, Illinois Higher quality of life Loma Linda, California Used for core municipal services Corpus Christi, Texas Critical during disasters Hurricane Katrina

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Various Models Used by Cities Existing public utilities Cable, Phone, Electric Power Public/private partnerships City install infrastructure Private provider manage technology Share revenue City offered as new utility City can not apply ordinance to favor itself Using various technologies Existing phone, cable, power lines Fiber to the home, wireless

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Basic Expectations of Local Government Affordable Dependable Connects city services –Mobility is important Vital service so must be offered to all schools, health care

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece More expectations Customer service at local level Build out to all city residents Service to both rural and small urban areas Active competition is welcomed

OneBrowardNetwork, February 1, 2006 Sonja Reece Your thoughts?