project, gigabit whatcom,

Creating Everyone, Everywhere Affordable Broadband Access: The Core Framework

Dan Dan Jul 24, 2022 · 1 min read
Creating Everyone, Everywhere Affordable Broadband Access: The Core Framework
Share this

Part 2 in the Gigabit Whatcom series.

To translate the principles of public fiber into an actionable roadmap for local leaders, we published our foundational framework, Creating Everyone Everywhere Affordable Broadband Access.

Key principles of the framework

  • Symmetrical bandwidth standards: Essential service is defined as at least 100 Mbps symmetrical (download and upload) for $70 a month, scaling to 1 Gbps symmetrical for $100 a month.
  • Network decomposition: Large municipal builds are broken into manageable, neighborhood-scale projects, such as Local Utility Districts (LUDs) and “Fiberhoods.”
  • Public open-access architecture: Rural market failures are resolved by treating the link-layer fiber grid like a public road network.
  • Dig Once mandates: Fiber conduit is installed whenever roads, water lines, or utilities are opened or repaired, which lowers deployment costs.

This framework gave community members, local port commissioners, and regional planning groups a blueprint for municipal broadband expansion.

Previous in the series: Why Gigabit Whatcom? Inspired by Susan Crawford’s Fiber

Next in the series: Community Organizing in Action: The McGee Road Local Loop Project

Dan
Written by Dan
Dan Douglass is Owner of Research on Knowing LLC. He leads organizational vision, operations, and strategic initiatives, focusing on the practical integration of epistemology within business, technology, and execution systems.
Trial & Error vs Recipe
Learning from Mistakes