What Drives the Partnership Decision? Examining Structural Factors Influencing Public-Private Partnerships for Municipal Wireless Broadband

Municipalities across the United States are in various stages of wireless broadband implementation. Policymakers establish wireless broadband networks for a number of reasons, including promoting economic development, supporting internal operations, and providing affordable access to citizens. While some governments provide wireless broadband access as a public service, others partner with private firms. This article exploits the variation in approaches and examines the structural factors that give rise to public-private partnerships. The results show that partnerships for wireless broadband are more likely among municipalities with political-administrative autonomy and greater economic viability. For municipalities seeking to address inequities in broadband access, these results can have profound implications, as partnerships are often the most viable deployment option. In addition to examining determinants of wireless broadband partnerships, this study aids in understanding which municipalities are more likely to benefit from partnership approaches as this form of alternative service delivery increases.