* 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: President Young
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Municipal
Broadband Feasibility Study
For the purpose of requesting that the Department of Finance, the Department of Transportation, and the Mayor’s Office of Information Technology appear before the City Council to discuss how they can collaborate to produce a formal feasibility study on developing a municipal-owned
broadband network in Baltimore capable of ensuring that all Baltimore families have adequate internet access options.
body
Recitals
Internet access is essential to function in today’s society, the need to make use of some internet service or another in order to take advantage of all available opportunities seems to increase every day. Internet access allows people to more efficiently do nearly everything, including applying for a job, renewing a driver’s license, doing homework, or just being part of and actively participating in one’s community. In order to be effective, that access must occur at adequate speeds. Those with no, or limited, access to the internet are increasingly being left behind.
Faster bandwidths are also necessary for telemedicine, distance learning, public safety, and economic development. Increasingly, many work from home and also require higher bandwidths. Companies choose to locate in those communities with improved infrastructure and leave those with poor infrastructure.
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