best example of such a network is in Chattanooga, Tennessee—which since implementation of the tax-payer owned fiber network has earned the nickname “Gig City.” Internet speeds in Chattanooga increased dramatically at minimal cost to local consumers. The New York Times analysis found that “for less than $70 a month, consumers enjoy an ultrahigh-speed fiber-optic connection that transfers data at one gigabit per second. That is 50 times the average speed for homes in the rest of the country, and just as rapid as service in Hong Kong, which has the fastest Internet in the world.” Tech companies and individual programmers have been lured to Chattanooga due to its robust fiber network and city officials estimate 1,000 jobs were created in 2013 as a direct result of the broadband expansion. For comparison, AEDC found jobs in Anchorage decreased by 400 positions between 2013 and 2014. The influx of activity has brought with it an influx of new home building and revitalization of its downtown. In the case of Chattanooga, a public fiber network created an entire new economic sector and indirectly spurred growth and innovation citywide—Chattanooga was the first city to pioneer telemedicine by transferring medical images to radiologists. Venture capital in Chattanooga has gone from almost zero in 2009 to five organized funds with over $50 million to invest in 2014. Perhaps most importantly, Chattanooga has successfully rebranded itself as a nationwide leader in innovation.
Chattanooga’s experience is probably the most dramatic example public broadband’ s success, however, cities nationwide are seeking to emulate Eastern Tennessee’s experience. Here in Anchorage we do not have to look very far to find models for public fiber. Ketchikan’s Public Utilities Telecommunications Division offers municipal fiber with unlimited bandwidth at fairly affordable prices. KPU completely local and all profits and jobs remain with in Ketchikan. Earlier this year they even won two “Best of the Northwest” service provider awards—good job First City! While I am not sure what Anchorage’s best path forward is, I do know current
"a public fiber network created an entire new economic sector and indirectly spurred growth and innovation citywide"