Bill Would Reverse Bans On Municipal Broadband 157
Yuppie writes "A bill introduced to the House this week would overturn bans that currently exist in several states that forbid cities and towns building and deploying their own broadband networks. The big telecoms may not be be too happy about the bill, however: 'The telecoms have historically argued that municipalities that own and operate — or even build and lease — broadband networks could give themselves preferential treatment. The Act anticipates that argument with a section on "competition neutrality." Public providers would be banned from giving themselves any "regulatory preference," which should create a level playing field for all broadband providers. Municipalities interested in getting into the broadband business would also have to solicit feedback from the private sector on planned deployments.' The full text of the bill (pdf) is available from Rep. Boucher's website."
Heaven Forbid.. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:postal roads? (Score:1, Interesting)
Of course, the railroads kind of crapped out during the 1960s and 1970s, but that's because they were now competing against the interstate highway system... which was a competition they had no chance of winning, because the government has arbitrarily deep pockets.
It's a good thing (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:preferential treatment (Score:1, Interesting)
What exactly was better about phone service under the AT&T monopoly? It was before my time, but its reputation was for shit.
What ever happened to state's rights? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:preferential treatment (Score:2, Interesting)