Broadband & Digital Equity in the Portland Plan
PORTLAND PLAN POLICIES RE: BROADBAND & DIGITAL INCLUSION
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND AFFORDABILITY
Strategy Element 2: Public and private urban innovation
Maintain a leadership position in sustainability and support innovation, research, development and commercialization of new technologies. Strive to produce a “next generation” urban setting that fosters creativity and invention.
P- 9 Pursue universal, affordable and reliable access to high-speed information technology and the devices and training to use the Internet effectively. Support the deployment of high-bandwidth infrastructure through clustering and collocating users that need very large broadband capacity.
Action 59 – Broadband service
Work with citizens and telecommunications and utility representatives to develop recommendations for improving wireless service in Portland. Review and update the City’s comprehensive approach to wireless facilities including database mapping.
Potential partner: OCT Related action areas: Prosperity and Business Success; Sustainability and the Natural Environment; Equity, Civic Engagement and Quality of Life Equity action
Action 61 – Broadband equity
Establish a fund for broadband equity and work with nonprofits to increase access to broadband for underserved communities.
Partner: OCT
Related action areas: Prosperity and Business Success; Sustainability and the Natural Environment; and Equity, Civic Engagement and Quality of Life Equity action
Action 105 – Broadband in neighborhoods
Identify and create several high-capacity broadband access points in neighborhood centers. Improve and expand free Wi-Fi access at publicly-owned and accessible buildings, such as schools and libraries.
Partners: OCT, school districts
Related action areas: Prosperity and Business Success; Transportation, Technology and Access
Infrastructure
In coming decades, the City government and partner agencies must do the following to help support job growth across all industries:
• Implement our broadband strategic plan to support high tech industry clusters as well as improve our transportation network to provide better access to employment across the city.