Returning to the Smart21 for the third consecutive year, Ashland has diversified a tourism-based economy through Ashland Fiber Network (AFN). The city-owned electric utility deployed an open-access fiber-to-the-premises network that attracted multiple service providers offering up to 100 Mbps, and then added wireless connectivity for low-income residents and public use. The city has deployed applications such as automated meter reading and remote management to reduce costs and pollution. Broadband has spurred business start-up and growth in software, outsourced services, import/export and online retailing that would have been impossible before AFN.

Population: 22,000

Website: www.ashland.or.us

Smart21 2007 | 2008 | 2009