Listers, This might be of interest as we work on connecting counties. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Richard Hill" <rhill@hill-a.ch> Date: Apr 3, 2016 9:45 AM Subject: [Internet Policy] More on Internet access for all, and how to make it affordable To: <internetpolicy@elists.isoc.org> Cc: Here is an entirely different approach on how to fund Internet connectivity for all (but it isn't actually all that new or different from how we fund roads, electrical power distribution, water distribution, etc.): http://potsandpansbyccg.com/2016/03/31/another-municipal-model/ City officials in San Francisco recently issued a report that takes a very different stance than most other cities that are looking at broadband issues. The city essentially rejects the normal demand-based commercial model for broadband and looks at a new structure that will bring broadband to everybody. The report is authored by the office of supervisor Mark Farrell and reflects some of the recommendations from the San Francisco Municipal Fiber Advisory Panel. The report very correctly observes that today's commercial broadband model leaves a lot of citizens without broadband. Numerous nationwide surveys have shown that the majority of households without broadband access today feel they cannot afford the market prices for service. So the San Francisco report recommends that the City institute a $26 per month fee on all households - with a higher fee on businesses - to help pay for broadband to everyone. They further recommend a public private partnership model to operate the business and assume that tiered pricing will still allow for profitability for a commercial partner. <snip> _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu.