If you could increase your internet speed and pay less, would you be interested?

Obviously, everyone would like faster internet speeds while paying less, but is it possible?

It is according to a municipal broadband feasibility study completed by the city of Jamestown.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said the study indicates that the average cost of internet in the city for 100 megabits per second is $75 to $100 a month without promotions. He said with a municipal broadband structure, city residents could receive one gigabit per second for $30 to $40 a month. This would mean internet speeds are 10 times faster at half the cost.

“To have low-cost internet service — when there is such a huge need for internet — would be an incredible thing,” he said.

Sundquist said city officials are planning to present the findings of the municipal broadband feasibility study to the public sometime this month, but a date hasn’t been set.

“We’re trying to work through the process of finalizing the plan with the consultant,” he said. “We’re looking to set up a public presentation to get feedback from the community and then create a broadband commission.”

Sundquist said the commission will consist of people from the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities as well as the Jamestown City Council. He said the commission will also include officials from local foundations, who assisted in funding the study. He added that there will be community members who work remotely in other states and officials from manufacturers who rely on a strong internet connection.

The commission will be formed by April or May, Sundquist said. He said the commission will then decide if municipal broadband internet is feasible for Jamestown.

“The commission will help us make a decision within a couple of months of being created,” he said.

Sundquist said there is funding from the federal and state government to assist in creating a municipal broadband network. He said if Jamestown would create its broadband network it would be the first municipality in the state to do so.

“There is federal and state funding available that could significantly reduce the cost,” he said.

What would a municipal broadband network look like?

Sundquist said there are two models city officials are looking at that have been done elsewhere in the U.S. He said one way is for the city to create the infrastructure and be the internet service provider to residents. He added that this is the way Chattanooga, Tenn., operates its municipal broadband network.

Sundquist said the other model would be similar to Ammon, Idaho, where the city created the infrastructure while private internet companies compete to provide support and internet to residents.

“These are the two models we are looking at,” he said. “We’re excited to be on the cutting edge and to bring the city into the 21st century.”