For municipalities to qualify for these grants

For municipalities to qualify for these grants that have to fit certain criteria. Criteria vary from state to state, as does the definition of broadband. When we talk about “defining broadband” we don’t mean a dictionary definition. What we are referring to is a minimum internet speed, defined by FCC and/or state government.

This definition is a moving target right now, in January 2018 the FCC decided to keep their 2016 definition of broadband, leaving it at 25/3 Mbps. That does not mean every state’s broadband definition is 25/3 Mbps, in fact, some states have multiple definitions with the option to change them when needed. To qualify for any government funding though, a community has to have speeds that fall under a broadband definition.
fiber optic technician jobs
An ISP receiving any government funding has to build to the definition, though some grants have a specific build to definition. The build to definition means there are specific speeds an ISP’s new infrastructure has to meet. If those speeds are asymmetrical, such as 10/10, that ISP will have to build fiber.

Another element of governments increased interest in broadband infrastructure is policy related. There are currently twenty states with laws that prohibit municipalities from building their own broadband network. Many of these state laws were lobbied into action by large telecom corporations. Under these laws, rural towns that don’t appeal to ISPs have no options when it comes to broadband infrastructure.