Background

• Fayetteville has been recognized as a small city that rivals big cities in its digital practices. The City invests progressively in its digital backbone for delivery of services to citizens. Upgrading the City’s building network connectivity will improve our digital infrastructure for enhanced and efficient government operations and access to city services.
• The City recently upgraded its City-Wide Institutional Network to increase broadband speeds and implement public Wi-Fi networks around select public facilities, particularly parks.
• A new ordinance for Small Cell Facilities siting was passed by the City Council in November to define internal procedures for working with providers as they implement the new small cell technologies in public rights of way and private property.
• To learn more about Small Cell installation in the City, click here. 
• In addition to the infrastructure planning for high speed networks for city operations and services, an equally important goal is to enhance access for all citizens to affordable broadband services.

In Process

• Digital inclusion for all residents for online learning, access to job banks, closing the homework gap, and increasing ways in which citizens can be civically engaged online will comprise the city’s new digital equity strategy
• The Digital Inclusion Plan will include public policy priorities for furthering digital equity in Fayetteville for consumers, citizens, students, job seekers, and entrepreneurs so that we can advance digital equity in ways that will allow us to have a meaningful impact on the lives of residents
• Working in partnership with the Fayetteville Library, Fayetteville Public Schools, the University of Arkansas, citizens, and industry partners, the city’s Digital Inclusion Plan will build equity awareness and accommodations into all city departments and public services

Public Survey

A survey has been prepared for City residents regarding the availability of high-speed Internet service throughout the community, including how they access and use it. Surveys are available in English and Spanish, online at the City’s public engagement portal, Speak Up Fayetteville, and in paper format.  Copies will also be mailed to a random sampling of households and provided during public outreach meetings.

Upcoming Public Engagement Events

Thursday, January 24, 2019, 5:39 to 7:00 p.m.
Fayetteville Public Library Walker Room
401 W. Mountain Street

Past Public Engagement Events 

The City is partnering with the Fayetteville Public Library to offer a series of public events on the topic of digital inclusion.  The following three events were LiveCast from the library, and are available for viewing at the links below. 

Thursday, May 17, 2018, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Fayetteville Public Library Walker Room
Advancing Digital Equity and Broadband Opportunities for Residents of Fayetteville
Joanne Hovis, CEO of the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, engaged with community members to discuss ways to raise awareness about the importance of digital equity and build strategies and opportunities for advancing high-speed broadband for all residents.  Joanne co-authored “The Emerging World of Broadband Public–Private Partnerships: A Business Strategy and Legal Guide,” which was published by the Benton Foundation. Click here to view the LiveCast.

Thursday August 30, 2018, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Fayetteville Public Library Walker Room
Digital Readiness Community Forum
Local expert, Dr. David Fredrick, will present  "The Future of Homework," a brief talk about how education will continue to require access to high-speed internet. In the last hour, attendees will brainstorm ideas for improving digital literacy in Fayetteville. Click here to view the LiveCast.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Fayetteville Public Library Walker Room
 "Internet Access—Quality and Affordability in Fayetteville"
A moderated discussion with representatives from three broadband providers— AT&T, Cox, and OzarksGo—on the state of internet service in Fayetteville. Click here to view the LiveCast.