Information Technology

Digital Inclusion is a key strategic priority for the City of Madison Information Technology (IT) department. As technology is changing rapidly and altering the ways residents interact with government, it is our goal to improve connectivity, digital engagement tools and practices, user experience, accessibility, and language access principles for Madison residents.

View the City of Madison Digital Inclusion Efforts Summary (Spring 2021) to learn more about some of our current digital inclusion activities.

Programs & Initiatives

Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP)

In November 2015, the City of Madison’s Common Council tasked the Digital Technology Committee (DTC) with determining feasibility of the City pursuing deployment of a citywide high speed fiber-based broadband network. In December 2015, the DTC engaged CTC Technology & Energy (CTC) to prepare a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) feasibility analysis. The Common Council passed a resolution in 2016 to accept the resulting report and directed the DTC to develop an implementation plan for the fiber network.

The Fiber-to-the-Premises Implementation Plan was prepared in early 2018 by CTC with input from City staff as part of the City’s ongoing effort to address the digital divide—or gaps related to broadband access, affordability, and digital skills—that may prevent the City’s citizens from making the most effective, meaningful use of broadband.

Fiber-to-the-Premises Implementation Plan

Benefits of Broadband Competition

The Benefits of Broadband Competition in Terms of Service & Opportunities for Low-Income Communities draft report was prepared by CTC Technology & Energy for the City of Madison, Wisconsin in March 2018.

The report addresses two questions:

1. Does municipal competition in broadband markets lead to service improvements by private providers?
2. Does high-speed residential internet access help low-income citizens, and does competition enhance this effect?

Benefits of Broadband Competition Report (DRAFT)

Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network (MUFN)

MUFN is a collaborative metro fiber-optic network serving education, health, government, and Non-Profit-Organization anchor institutions in the Madison, Middleton, and Monona, Wisconsin area. It unifies and augments existing telecom resources to facilitate enhanced Internet, point-to-point connectivity, and application sharing. This effort improves broadband access, economic development, public safety, education, and community support programs.

ConnectHomeUSA

The City of Madison Information Technology (IT) and Community Development Authority (CDA) participate in the ConnectHomeUSA program. ConnectHomeUSA is a movement to bridge the digital divide for HUD-assisted housing residents in the United States under the leadership of national nonprofit EveryoneOn. ConnectHomeUSA creates a platform for community leaders, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private industry to join together and produce locally-tailored solutions for narrowing the digital divide.

The City of Madison is committed to improving opportunities for free or low-cost broadband access, devices, and digital literacy training. ConnectHomeUSA also extends affordable access to low-income families, ensuring that high-speed internet follows our children from their classrooms back to their homes.