Prior to June 2007, a Vermont town that wanted to create a community broadband network would have to amend the town charter and get it approved by the Vermont Legislature to gain the necessary authority to do so.  Public Act 79 of 2007 changed that, granting broad authority to communities to create their own networks.

The national telecommunications companies like Comcast and Verizon had largely ignored Vermont, like other upper New England states.  These companies invested little in the low density communities – preferring to invest where they could maximize profits.  Realizing the future required fast broadband networks, the Vermont Legislature and Governor Douglas partnered, forming an overwhelming majority to pass legislature to encourage broadband investment. Continue reading