Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Information Technology

TO:	Diane Stoddard, City Manager
FROM:	James Wisdom, Director of I.T.
CC:	Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE:	11/29/2015
RE:	Next Century Cities request to support Lifeline Program

Background

The City of Lawrence voted to join NextCenturyCities.org at the City Commission meeting on November 17, 2015.  Next Century Cities is a non-profit organization that offers a platform for local governments to engage on broadband and digital inclusion issues and offers support to local governments for fiber policies and information.

Lifeline Program Information

One of the principles of Next Century Cities is to expand access to high-quality broadband for all. Next Century Cities has drafted a sign-on letter for the elected officials or mayors of member communities who are interested in joining their voices together to support the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) effort to modernize its Lifeline program and expand access to broadband Internet for Lifeline participants.

This summer, the FCC announced its intention to modernize the Lifeline program to offer affordable broadband Internet connections to low-income households. Currently only 47 percent of households making less than $25,000 have home access to broadband Internet. By improving broadband accessibility, the proposed reforms to Lifeline will open new opportunities to low-income Americans and provide valuable educational resources to millions of children living in poverty.

Staff Recommendation

Information Technology recommends supporting Next Century Cities request to recommend approval to the Federal Communications Commission for the Lifeline Program being considered in early 2016.

Action

Information Technology recommends authorizing Mayor Mike Amyx to sign Next Century City’s recommendation letter to the Federal Communications Commission in support of the Lifeline and Link up Reform and Modernization document to offer affordable broadband Internet connections to low-income households.