Portland, Ore.—Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran will join the city leaders of Portland, Wood Village, Gresham, Troutdale and Fairview at Fairview City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 23, to mark the beginning of a partnership to study the feasibility of a publicly-owned, regional internet network in Multnomah County.
The gathering is the latest milestone in Multnomah County’s efforts to become one of the nation’s largest municipal broadband providers. The coalition is partnering with the national consulting firm, CTC Technology & Energy, to examine the feasibility and next steps for building the infrastructure.
Fifteen percent of Portland-area households lack internet access at home. That number is 18 percent for households with incomes under $30,000 annually, 28 percent for those 65 and older and 30 percent for Hispanic households. The purpose of municipal broadband is to bridge the digital equity gap by making fast, affordable and reliable internet available to all.
“Internet access could be provided by a public utility,” Commissioner Meieran said. “In this digital age, people rely on the internet for school, work, information, and connection to their community. Access to the internet needs to be as fundamental as access to water and electricity so that everyone has the opportunity to learn, work and engage.”
The total cost of the feasibility study is expected to be $250,000 with Multnomah County contributing $150,000 and the remaining balance allocated across the five other partner municipalities.
CTC will lead the six jurisdictions through a series of assessments, outreach activities, surveys, and infrastructure analysis over the next several months to evaluate the community's broadband needs. By Spring 2020, leaders hope to have a roadmap for a publicly-owned network to serve everyone in the community.
“This is the right thing for our future,” Commissioner Meieran said. “Now is the time for us to consider the needs of a 21st-century infrastructure. We’re excited to envision a community-owned network in partnership with Portland, Wood Village, Gresham, Troutdale and Fairview.”
Municipal Broadband Kick Off
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 10 am to noon
Address: Fairview City Hall Council Chambers (1300 NE Village St, Fairview, OR 97024)
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