Council approves resolution seeking to provide greater broadband access throughout Milwaukee

At today’s (July 28) Common Council meeting, file #200275 – Resolution directing the Information Technology Management Division to work with the Department of Administration – Intergovernmental Relations Division and other City agencies to provide broadband access to underserved areas of the city, was approved with unanimous support. The file was sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and primary co-sponsor Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic.

“I want to extend my appreciation to my colleagues for unanimously supporting the resolution,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “With COVID-19 altering our lifestyles to heavily rely on virtual communication and learning, broadband access has become a necessary utility for residents of all ages, and the approval of this resolution will help build solutions in providing greater broadband access to the community.”

Currently, several areas within Milwaukee are under served in terms of broadband and internet access. Residential broadband access is available from Spectrum and AT&T, and both companies along with PCs for People offer discounted internet rates for households facing economic difficulties.

Alderwoman Dimitrijevic thanked Alderwoman Coggs for bringing the legislation forward. “This pandemic continues to expose the inequities that exist in our city and our country, and I thank Alderwoman Coggs for pushing this file forward,” she said.

“Let’s use this challenging time to right these wrongs and set our city up to succeed. This begins with giving all of our children the tools they need, like internet access, to reach their educational goals while they learn safely at home,” Alderwoman Dimitrijevic said.

“Providing greater broadband access is just one step we can make in helping residents deal with our ever-changing reality,” said Alderwoman Coggs.

Joining in sponsoring file #200275 were: Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.