* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Glover
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
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Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Broadband Expansion
For the purpose of inviting the Baltimore City Department of Finance, the Comptroller, Baltimore City Information Technology, the Law Department, the Department of Transportation, and other relevant parties to discuss and present multiple options for broadband and high-speed data access within the City of Baltimore; discussing the City’s powers or limitations regarding broadband expansion with regard to State law as well as City contracts and franchises already in place and the possibility of creating a municipal broadband utility to assist citizens in their accessibility to broadband; discussing possible policy or legislative reforms, and any other relevant information of interest to the Baltimore City Council in order to bring Baltimore City's broadband infrastructure and technology into the 21st Century.
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Recitals
Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened our need and dependence on broadband services to participate in remote employment and education;
Whereas, the digital divide adversely disproportionately affects the predominately black and brown population in Baltimore, many of whom live below the federal poverty line;
Whereas, the majority of broadband service customers for high-speed data are customers of one provider due to the lack of City franchisees;
Whereas, broadband technology has changed significantly with 5G tec...
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