About Us

The LocalBroadband.org site is maintained by the Community Broadband Networks Initiative of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance believes strongly in community-driven decision-making and works with local governments and groups across the country to limit centralized power (whether from massive out-of-state corporations or from DC). We are working with coalitions in several states, including North Carolina, to find ways of expanding fast, affordable, and reliable Internet access to everyone.

The Community Broadband Networks Initiative has long focused on encouraging competition and Internet choice with policies that encourage locally-rooted broadband networks. We are well-known for our work supporting local authority to build networks and establish partnerships, and the work we have done documenting both municipal and cooperative network approaches on MuniNetworks.org.

However, we have also worked with local Internet service providers and generally support policies that result in more choices for residents and businesses. We believe the best people to decide what strategy works to encourage local Internet choice in their community are those who live there and will have to live with the consequences of any action or inaction.

Nationally, we have worked with many groups to further our goals. Some key allies are the Coalition for Local Internet Choice; Next Century Cities; National League of Cities; National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors; Local Solutions Support Center; Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition; and many local groups working on state-specific campaigns.

The best way to contact us is by writing to broadband@communitynets.org.