What is CBAN?

Better broadband does build stronger communities, but millions of Americans don't have access to fast, reliable Internet, can't afford it when they do, or don't have the computer skills to full leverage resources that are increasingly only available online.

The Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) is a member organization of communities, providers, policy makers, and advocates across the United States. CBAN was established in 2017 to provide a collaborative educational network for  everyone seeking to create or improve locally-operated broadband access.

 

Learn more about how we work HERE.

Community Broadband Action Network Corp.

 

Our Mission

The Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) believes better broadband builds stronger communities. Our mission is to support community broadband stakeholders in their efforts to improve, promote, advance, and expand high quality broadband access, and to actively work towards digital inclusion and digital equity for every American.

The Community Broadband Action Network empowers communities to successfully explore and expand local broadband access and adoption, and to support digital equity for all by:

  • Lowering sometimes-daunting information barriers through education, coaching, and mentorship
  • Making network construction and operations more viable through the facilitation of information and resource sharing
  • Providing resources, training and guidance for communities' own digital equity initiatives
  • Providing direct, one-on-one training and resource assistance to residents of southern Iowa through our Digital Navigator Program
  • Encouraging new partnerships, both public and private

How we do it

Since 2018, the Community Broadband Action Network has been more than a think tank; we are a powerful "do tank," helping communities and solutions providers clear the hurdles that stand in the way of realizing the dream of better broadband access, adoption, and affordability for every American.

To further expand our capabilities, the Community Broadband Action Network Corp. (CBAN Corp.) was established in November 2021 and is a federal 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Its primary activity is to improve, promote, advance, and expand community broadband, digital inclusion, and digital literacy by developing, conducting, publishing, promoting. and distributing research, education, training, publications, and other related information and to support similar activities conducted by other public entities, nonprofit agencies, and educational institutions with similar purposes. In August 2022, CBAN Corp. was awarded a major grant to stand up and administer Iowa's first Digital Navigator program.

Education

Often the best and most creative solutions to community challenges come through an open exchange of ideas among peers. The CBAN member organization facilitates this idea exchange through events like our biannual Community Broadband Summit, local and regional meet-ups, live and online talks and workshops, the Broadband Action podcast, resource videos, and Broadband Bytes, our semi-monthly newsletter roundup of industry and regulatory news.

Advocacy

CBAN is a strong advocate for improving broadband in all aspects for communities and their citizens. We believe that communities should have the right to explore all options for improved access, including community-focused providers and community-owned networks. We serve as non-political local broadband advocates across the spectrum of solutions.

Guidance

CBAN serves a vital role in supporting local stakeholders as they explore options for improving their broadband services by connecting members to each other and to key resources needed to take action.