Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial team independently evaluates providers and broadband policy. Last updated: February 2026.
Quick Answer: What Is Municipal Broadband?
Municipal broadband is internet service built and operated by a local government or publicly owned utility. Over 750 communities across the United States operate some form of municipal broadband network. These networks typically offer faster speeds, lower prices, and higher customer satisfaction than private ISPs. Notable examples include EPB Fiber in Chattanooga, TN (10 Gbps for $300/month), Longmont NextLight in Colorado (1 Gbps for $49.95/month), and Fort Collins Connexion in Colorado (1 Gbps for $59.95/month).
Understanding Municipal Broadband
Municipal broadband refers to internet networks that are wholly or partially owned by local governments, public utilities, or community cooperatives. These networks exist because many communities found that private ISPs were unwilling or unable to provide adequate broadband service, particularly in rural areas, small cities, and underserved neighborhoods.
The concept is not new. Municipalities have long operated public utilities for water, electricity, and sewer service. Municipal broadband extends this model to internet service, treating high-speed connectivity as essential infrastructure rather than a luxury product. Proponents argue that internet access is as fundamental as electricity and water in the modern economy.
Types of Municipal Broadband Networks
Full Municipal Ownership (Retail Model)
The municipality builds, owns, and operates the entire network, serving customers directly. The city handles installation, billing, and customer support. Examples include EPB Fiber (Chattanooga), Longmont NextLight (Colorado), and Cedar Falls Utilities (Iowa). This model provides maximum public control but requires the largest upfront investment.
Open-Access Networks
The municipality builds the fiber infrastructure and leases it to private ISPs who compete to serve customers over the same network. This creates competition while reducing duplication of infrastructure. Utopia Fiber in Utah is the best-known open-access network, serving 11 cities with multiple competing ISPs on a single fiber network. Customers choose their provider; the city owns the pipes.
Public-Private Partnerships
The municipality partners with a private company to build and operate the network. Google Fiber's partnership with Huntsville Utilities is an example. The public entity may own the infrastructure while the private partner handles operations, or vice versa. These partnerships leverage public infrastructure access with private-sector operational efficiency.
Electric Co-op Fiber
Rural electric cooperatives building fiber networks to serve their member-owners. While not technically municipal, these publicly governed utilities serve a similar function. Co-op fiber programs have exploded since 2020, with hundreds of electric co-ops across Appalachia, the Midwest, and the rural South building gigabit fiber networks. Funding from USDA ReConnect and BEAD programs has accelerated this trend.
Success Stories: Municipal Broadband in Action
EPB Fiber Optics - Chattanooga, Tennessee
The gold standard for municipal broadband. Chattanooga's electric utility launched fiber internet in 2010, becoming the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer 1 Gbps residential service. Today, EPB offers speeds up to 25 Gbps. Studies estimate that EPB Fiber has generated $2.69 billion in economic benefits for the Chattanooga area, attracting tech companies, remote workers, and entrepreneurs. Monthly pricing starts at $57.99 for 300 Mbps and $67.99 for 1 Gbps.
Longmont NextLight - Longmont, Colorado
After voters approved a bond measure in 2014, Longmont built a citywide fiber network offering 1 Gbps for $49.95/month and 10 Gbps for $299.95/month. NextLight consistently ranks among the highest-rated ISPs in the country for customer satisfaction. The network has been cash-flow positive since 2019, paying down its construction bonds ahead of schedule.
Fort Collins Connexion - Fort Collins, Colorado
Launched in 2020, Fort Collins Connexion offers 1 Gbps for $59.95/month with no data caps, no contracts, and no promotional pricing gimmicks. The city invested $150 million in the network, which is on track to reach full citywide coverage. Customer satisfaction scores exceed 90%.
Utopia Fiber - Utah
An open-access network serving 11 Utah cities. Utopia builds and maintains the fiber infrastructure while private ISPs compete for customers on the network. Residents choose from multiple providers offering different packages. This competitive model has resulted in some of the lowest fiber internet prices in the country.
Wilson Greenlight - Wilson, North Carolina
Wilson's municipal fiber network launched in 2008 and offers 1 Gbps for $69.95/month. The network famously battled North Carolina legislation backed by private ISPs that restricted municipal broadband expansion. Despite legal challenges, Greenlight continues to operate successfully and has inspired similar efforts across the state.
Benefits of Municipal Broadband
- Lower prices: Municipal networks average 25-40% lower prices than private ISPs for comparable speeds, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance
- Faster speeds: Many municipal networks offer symmetric gigabit service at prices below what private ISPs charge for 200 Mbps
- No data caps: Most municipal networks do not impose data caps
- Better customer satisfaction: Municipal ISPs consistently score higher than private ISPs in satisfaction surveys. Consumer Reports ranked community-owned networks above all major private ISPs
- Local accountability: Elected officials oversee the network, creating direct accountability to subscribers who are also voters
- Economic development: Communities with municipal fiber attract businesses, remote workers, and investment. Chattanooga and Longmont have both documented significant economic growth tied to their networks
- Digital equity: Municipal networks often include affordable programs for low-income residents and free connectivity for schools, libraries, and community centers
Challenges and Criticisms
- Upfront costs: Building a fiber network typically costs $50-$150 million for a mid-sized city, usually funded through revenue bonds
- Construction timeline: Full citywide deployment takes 3-7 years
- Political opposition: Private ISPs actively lobby against municipal broadband. At least 18 states have laws restricting or banning municipal networks
- Financial risk: Some municipal networks have struggled financially, particularly those with low take rates or poor business planning. Provo, Utah sold its network to Google in 2013 after financial difficulties
- Operational expertise: Running an ISP requires specialized technical and business skills that municipalities may lack
State Laws and Restrictions
As of 2026, approximately 18 states have laws that restrict or complicate municipal broadband deployment. These range from outright bans to onerous referendum requirements and territorial limitations. States with significant restrictions include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Federal legislation has been proposed to preempt these state-level restrictions, but none has passed as of early 2026. The BEAD program, while funding broadband expansion, does not override state laws limiting municipal networks. Advocates continue pushing for the removal of these barriers at both the state and federal levels.
How to Advocate for Municipal Broadband
If your community lacks adequate broadband and you want to explore municipal broadband:
- Research your state laws: Determine if municipal broadband is permitted in your state and what requirements exist (ballot measures, feasibility studies, etc.)
- Build community support: Survey residents about broadband satisfaction and willingness to support a municipal network. High dissatisfaction with incumbent ISPs fuels successful campaigns
- Contact your city council: Request a broadband feasibility study. Many consulting firms specialize in municipal broadband feasibility analysis
- Connect with advocacy organizations: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (muninetworks.org), Next Century Cities, and the Coalition for Local Internet Choice provide resources and connect communities pursuing municipal broadband
- Study successful examples: Reach out to cities with successful municipal networks for guidance on business models, funding, and deployment strategies
Alternatives While You Wait
If municipal broadband is not yet available in your area, these alternatives provide competitive service:
- AT&T Fiber ((855) 452-1829) - Expanding fiber coverage nationwide
- Verizon Fios ((855) 452-1505) - Symmetrical fiber in the Northeast
- Frontier Fiber ((855) 809-2498) - Growing fiber footprint
- Xfinity ((855) 389-1498) - Widely available cable
- Spectrum ((855) 771-1328) - No data caps on cable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is municipal broadband?
Municipal broadband is internet service provided by a local government, public utility, or community cooperative. The network infrastructure is publicly owned, and the service is typically operated as a public utility rather than a for-profit business. Over 750 communities in the US have some form of municipal broadband.
Is municipal broadband cheaper than private ISPs?
Yes, in most cases. Studies show municipal broadband averages 25-40% lower prices for comparable speeds. For example, Longmont NextLight offers 1 Gbps for $49.95/month, while the private ISP alternative in nearby communities charges $80+ for the same speed. Municipal networks also tend to have simpler pricing without promotional rates that increase after the first year.
Is municipal broadband legal in my state?
It depends. Approximately 18 states have laws restricting municipal broadband. Some prohibit it entirely while others impose requirements like mandatory referendums, feasibility studies, or restrictions on serving areas beyond city limits. Check your state's specific laws through the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's interactive map at muninetworks.org.
How is municipal broadband funded?
Most municipal broadband networks are funded through a combination of revenue bonds (repaid from subscriber fees, not taxes), federal and state grants (BEAD, ReConnect, ARPA), and utility reserve funds. Well-managed networks become self-sustaining through subscriber revenue within 5-10 years.
Does municipal broadband compete with private ISPs?
Yes, and this competition benefits consumers. In cities with municipal broadband, private ISPs typically lower prices and improve service to compete. Studies show that areas with municipal broadband have faster speeds and lower prices across all providers, not just the municipal network.
What are the risks of municipal broadband?
The primary risk is financial. If a municipal network does not achieve sufficient subscriber adoption (take rate), it may not generate enough revenue to repay construction bonds. Poor business planning, construction delays, and political interference have contributed to some network failures. However, the majority of municipal networks are financially stable or profitable.
Can I start a municipal broadband campaign in my town?
Yes. The typical path involves: gauging community interest through surveys, requesting a feasibility study from your city council, building a coalition of supporters, addressing state legal requirements, and working with experienced consultants. Organizations like the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Next Century Cities provide free resources and guidance for communities exploring this path.
Related Resources: Google Fiber Cities | Mountain Internet Options | Satellite Internet Guide | Rural Internet Guide