Thread by @GirmayZahilay

I’m doing a study tour in Germany this week with @FNFreiheit, learning how local governments operate in a different country. I’ll share any new perspectives I gain w you! One interesting lesson I learned from a local Mayor at this lunch is on #PublicBroadband. 1/

CC: @UpgradeKC

She said that a group of people in her county really wanted public broadband, so they formed a community group that knocked on doors asking their neighbors which of them would want a public broadband option, and if yes, asking if they’d be willing to sign a commitment form. 2/

The group received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and were surprised to learn that their eldest neighbors had the highest demand for public broadband because they wanted more access to contact their loved ones virtually through video calls, Facebook, and other platforms. 3/

Once the community group had documentation of the super high demand in their district, they went to their local government and lobbied for a public broadband option. The local government released an RFP requesting private companies to build the public broadband infrastructure. 4/

2 small telecom companies won the contracts and began building. Multiple local municipalities came together around this concept and formed a “Zweckverband”, or a special district, where they share the public broadband infrastructure. 5/

Once the largest telecom company found out about the potential public broadband, its reps also went door to door offering cheaper internet deals to maintain customers. A good example of public options being able to promote competition and bring down prices for consumers. 6/

This was just one of the interesting topics that came up. I love learning best practices from other places and will continue to share with all of you what I hear on this trip to Germany.

Anyway it’s past midnight here so let me try to sleep. Seeya tomorrow 😴

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