The FCC Can't Help Cities Trapped By Predatory Internet Deals With Big Telecom 93
Jason Koebler writes: At least 20 states have laws that make it illegal for communities to offer local government-owned high speed internet access. Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler threw consumers a bone by suggesting that the agency could make it easier for cities to skirt those laws. That's a great first step — but many cities have locked themselves into telecom company-caused messes the FCC probably can't fix. The FCC's power becomes much less certain once you drill into the other major reason—besides state laws—why cities can't offer broadband to their constituents: local, long-term agreements with internet service providers.
FCC - what it does (Score:5, Insightful)
Title 47
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/te... [ecfr.gov]
I don't particularly want to understand the FCC's area of authority, so here is Title 47.
politicians put the public over that barrel. Tea p (Score:5, Insightful)
The local governments, the politicians, made those deals because it gave them what they want (campaign money). They aren't over a barrel, they are perfectly happy with the arrangement. When a citizens' group ASKS them what they think about the public getting screwed, they'll SAY they don't like it. They made the deal willingly, though. It's the public that they stuffed into the barrel.
I'm not a tea party member, so maybe I shouldn't speak for them, but I'm pretty sure they are AGAINST having the government outlaw competition like this. I think the Tea Party way would be that anyone who wants to offer better, faster service should be allowed to do so, and the government shouldn't stop them. Currently, local governments outlaw competition. I don't think that's what Tea party people want.