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Broadband War & an Interactive Municipal Map

Posted by timothy on from the gosh-the-state-does-a-swell-job-with-education dept.

Ant writes "Broadband Reports mentions a CNET News.com story on the U.S.'s growing debate over municipal broadband. Across the country, acrimonious conflicts have erupted as local governments attempt to create publicly funded broadband services with faster connections and cheaper rates for all citizens, narrowing the so-called digital divide. The Bells and cable companies, for their part, argue that government intervention in their business is not justified and say they are far better equipped to operate complex and far-flung data networks. There is also an interactive municipal broadband legislative map that details the major battlegrounds on the issue. At stake is the fate of high-speed Internet access for millions of Americans, hinging on a fundamental question of civics and economics--whether the government or private industries should take the leading role in building out what's considered this generation's critical infrastructure challenge. Its map shows a breakdown of muni-projects in each state, which have or are developing fiber or Wi-Fi projects, and are facing (existing or pending) legal barriers to doing business."

2 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. It just doesn't pay by JustOK · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Look, this is all so stupid. If you can't afford something, then TOO BAD. Do NOT interfere with the rights of companys to make money.

    --
    rewriting history since 2109
  2. Re:Why wait for goverment/corporations to build it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Exactly. Use the governments to open up compitition, attract local businesses, local citizens. Make them break the mini-monopolies that are setup for cable and phone access.

    Think about the assholes that run your local government. Think about those guys that want to put filters on internet access at the libraries. Think about the guys that freak out about content on the television and have controls over the airwaves.

    Now think about those SAME people in charge of your personal internet access.

    Think about the same level of professionalism that goes into fixing potholes on the streets that would be applied to fixing your internet access when it goes down.