Slashdot Mirror
Broadband War & an Interactive Municipal Map
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."
Actually it happened in the town i live (Not US). I have a much better service and speed than the 'regular' users of my ISP, because our town created a non-profit organization to act as a 'legal proxy' towards the isp. Yay for me.
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Electrification _Act_Amendments
Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it. --Mark Twain