Davenport is on its way to becoming a "gig city." This month, officials hired an IT firm to study ways to build a high speed, broadband network throughout the city.
Rob Henry, Chief Information Officer for Davenport, says the firm will determine how to bring fast and reliable service to residents by looking at infrastructure and current service providers.
One option is for Davenport to create an "open access network" for service providers.
The city would work with businesses, government agencies, and non-profit groups to expand the network.
Henry calls it an inevitable step into the new digital global economy.
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Henry says broadband service is as much as necessity as drinking water.
The study will be done in January, and Davenport officials plan to discuss their options next spring.