Getting Your Fiber: Helping Cities Finance High-speed Internet

Where private sector companies are not motivated to fund infrastructure upgrades, cities themselves must create a solution. To do so, many access the municipal bond market or a structured finance solution as part of an overall approach to paying for the new infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Second- and third-tier cities not served by fiber optic providers may access municipal bond markets to fund their own broadband networks.
- High transmission speeds offered by fiber optic networks are important for economic development and public safety programs.
- Bond financing can structure fiber optic initiatives that mutually benefit cities and private Internet providers.