Utility Partnership to Expand Chicago Broadband Service
Summary
Reserve fiber optics on an electric utility network in Chicago will enable the expansion of broadband access for economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.QUILT, a Chicago nonprofit focused on growing opportunities in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, will license that reserve on the ComEd utility fiber network, to provide affordable broadband on Chicagos South and West sides.The initiative is part of whats known as Broadband Access for Brighter Futures and is enabled by a $14.6 million federal grant to ComEd from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the U.S. Department of Commerce. By using this excess capacity, were creating an open-access middle-mile network that will allow more providers to serve these communities, ensuring residents have access to affordable, high-speed Internet. report released in April by the Vernonburg Group,, found broadband infrastructure fairly available across metro areas, regardless of the socioeconomic differences among neighborhoods. The discussion was organized by Broadband Breakfast, a policy and advocacy group.Similarly, these same areas often lack competition among Internet service providers.Residents typically have just one or two options for Internet providers primarily Comcast and AT&T, Douglas said, citing research from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance showing broadband plans in underserved areas are 20 percent to 40 percent more expensive than those in better-connected regions. The lack of competition drives up prices, making it difficult for many households to afford high-speed plans.The open access middle-mile project enabled by the ComEd network will help to encourage more service providers to enter these markets, industry watchers said.