Baltimore to Explore Own Internet Access Network

Baltimore is hiring a consultant that would help the city develop a plan for expanding Internet service provider options for businesses and residents. For the moment, the only expectation is a study that provides options, such as creating greater incentives for any would-be ISPs to create a facilities-based new network.

Presumably, the study also will explore options for anchoring such a new metro network with fiber Baltimore could lay to support its own internal operations, or other initiatives to lure a few anchor tenants that could build on such a network. 

Baltimore was among cities that had bid to become a site for the first Google Fiber operation.
And Verizon has decided not to upgrade Baltimore with FiOS. 

In all likelihood, Baltimore will find it must hope for some sort of public-private partnership to "spot build" new facilities in Baltimore, as so far, the financial return for a full citywide build appear quite daunting.