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.
A Question from a Stupid Foreigner. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:A Question from a Stupid Foreigner. (Score:5, Interesting)
If the FCC is seemingly so impotent to regulate the industry, just what the hell are you guys paying it to do?
Prevent breasts from being shown on TV.
Re:A Question from a Stupid Foreigner. (Score:5, Interesting)
As with many things in the U.S., it boils down to the complex relationship between different levels of government. Telecom is regulated largely at the national level, but in part at the local level. The right to sign monopoly deals with local providers is one right that is delegated to local government, under current law anyway. So if a given local government actually signs such a deal, they're stuck with it.