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Kansas To Nix Expansion of Google Fiber and Municipal Broadband

symbolset writes: "Consumerist, among others, is reporting on a Kansas bill to restrict municipal support of broadband expansion. Purportedly to ensure a 'level playing field' to encourage commercial expansion in this area, these bills are usually referred to as oligopoly protection acts. Everywhere they have been implemented expansion of new broadband technology stops. In this specific case no municipal entity in Kansas will be able to enter the same sort of agreements that enabled Google Fiber. From the bill:
Except with regard to unserved areas, a municipality may not, directly or indirectly:
(1) Offer to provide to one or more subscribers, video, telecommunications or broadband service; or
(2) purchase, lease, construct, maintain or operate any facility for the purpose of enabling a private business or entity to offer, provide, carry, or deliver video, telecommunications or broadband service to one or more subscribers."

2 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. Re:munis are broke by crutchy · · Score: 1, Troll

    they probably did, but that doesn't make it right and doesn't mean that mistake should be repeated

    is there any wonder why US public debt is so high?

  2. Re:Wacky thinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Trying to use a rigorous proof on a belief system pretty much undermines the definition of the word "belief." It matters not whether you follow Christian beliefs or not during your time on this earth, but when you shed your mortal coil and find yourself in the Pit you will wail in disbelief ... but by that time, it will be too late. You have an opportunity to change your ways and save your eternal soul during this lifetime; in the next, not so much. Rejecting the Word because you cannot prove it with a formula or on a computer is foolhardy. There is no other logical explanation for why there is something rather than nothing, in my opinion.