Telephony Live: Chicago CIO calls for government, telco broadband push

“We are saving time, paper and increasing work efficiency because field workers are technologically equipped,” Bhatt said.

The city also has a robust Web site to provide online services and reduce the need to come into City Hall. While the site has seen tremendous growth over the years, Bhatt brought the issue back to the fact that many Chicagoans still can't access the site. It’s not like electricity in which consumers don’t think twice about flipping a switch and getting light, and it is not something you're as likely to find in low income areas as in the Trump Tower.

“We do have one huge limiting factor,” he said. “We use the online services, telecom tools you provide, and we also provide online services to our citizens, but a key limiting factor is that many residents don't have access to digital technologies.”

In Chicago, service providers tend to be either affordable but not universal or universal but not affordable, Bhatt said. While Chicago has broadband in every zip code, it is far from in every household. Because of the this, the city is working with Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco to find a solution to providing the infrastructure needed for the future. In the Mayor’s Advisory Council’s recent report on closing the digital divide, the committee defined five key drivers as effective network access, more affordable hardware, suitable software, digital education and evolving mindsets. A recent report suggested that new strategies for achieving universal, affordable broadband in American cities must address the demand side and fiber-to-the-home could be one of potential solutions.

The resolution was approved by the city Mayors in June and will be used to bolster cooperative federal policy initiatives by cities across the country. The City of Chicago will also be working with leading technologies companies to test pilot communities and connect the residents with affordable technology resrouces within these communities. 

“These are things governments are actively working on,” Bhatt said. “While [telecom service providers] give us great innovations in technology, we also look for your partnership and support in these areas to create a resolution for a national broadband strategy for the U.S.”