Webinar Q&A

How the Community Empowerment Network model works, including the roles played by local communities, network operators, ISPs and EntryPoint Networks.

Does EntryPoint own the network? If not, what is its role? 

If a community—especially a small one—would like to own the network but would prefer to hire a private company to operate it, how might that work? 

Are there advantages to an incremental build-out that starts by connecting publicly-owned buildings as anchor tenants on the network?  

How can communities—especially smaller ones--have confidence that ISPs will offer service on the network?  

If people can easily switch their ISPs, might that discourage ISPs from offering service on the network?  

If the network supports multiple ISPs, who owns the Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)?  

Can a Community Empowerment Network help improve network security? 

 

How state laws can influence a community’s broadband strategy, and how certain ownership and operating models and legislative changes can make it easier for Michigan communities to expand high-performance broadband.

Are there ways that existing Michigan laws restrict the ability of local communities to make best use of federal funding, including from the new Infrastructure bill, and what can and should be done about this?

Can counties, cities and townships use the direct funding they’ve received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to invest in broadband networks?  

Are there other models, such as a cooperative, that are being used and might be useful for Michigan communities to consider? 

 

Addressing the economic challenges facing efforts to expand access to high-performance broadband in rural areas.

Can this network model be economical in low-density rural areas where per-home costs are higher? 

How can a small rural community achieve the scale to attract companies and resources at reasonable prices to improve their prospects for success? 

If a community—especially a small one—would like to own the network but would prefer to hire a private company to operate it, how might that work?

Is there a role for wireless technology to help reach rural locations that are too expensive to reach with fiber?

What’s being done and what can we do to develop the workforce needed to support an expansion of rural broadband?

 

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