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 local decision-making and works with local governments and groups across the country to limit centralized power.
Our Community Broadband Networks Initiative has long focused on encouraging competition and local Internet choice with policies that limit the power of the big cable and telephone companies. We are well-known for our work supporting local authority to build networks as well as 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 local residents and businesses. We believe the best people to decide what strategy works best to encourage local Internet choice in their community are the people who live there and will have to live with the consequences of any action or inaction.
Nationally, we work 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.