City of Detroit’s Office of Digital Inclusion and Equity
The City of Detroit’s Office of Digital Inclusion and Equity is responsible for bridging the digital divide. This office is working on a project to bring Open Access Fiber Networks (OAFN) to areas of Detroit that are under or unconnected to internet service.
This document was created as a result of feedback from the Detroit Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion (DEI), investigating the potential implications of installing an open access fiber network in Detroit. Staff at the DEI requested support compiling evidence-based explanations that would address common misconceptions and attacks against public investment in fiber.
Municipal fiber networks increase access to the internet for those who currently do not have broadband and can be an effective tool in bridging the digital divide. In what follows, we investigate the benefits of fiber networks and show that fiber access can improve equity, economic, educational, and healthcare outcomes for a community. We conclude with recommendations for communities looking to adopt their own municipal fiber network.
