Americans Support Letting Cities Build Their Own Broadband Networks, Pew Finds (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Most Americans want to let local governments build out internet service if the internet providers in their area aren't any good, according to the Pew Research Center. In a phone survey of over 4,000 people last month, Pew found that 70 percent of respondents agreed that local governments should have the power to start their own high-speed networks if current offerings are "too expensive or not good enough." The results show an overwhelming support for municipal broadband -- networks that are at least somewhat run by local governments -- at a time when encouraging broadband buildout is a top federal priority. But despite the support, in much of the US, building out municipal networks just isn't possible. More than 20 states have passed laws banning local governments from starting their own broadband service, largely at the behest of internet providers that want to avoid competition at all cost. Though Pew's survey found some positive results for municipal broadband, it found less support for broadband subsidies for low-income homes. Under half of all Americans, 44 percent, said they supported subsidies, while nearly everyone else surveyed said they felt internet service "is affordable enough" that most households should be able to pay for it. (At the same time, nearly half of all people surveyed said they didn't know what speed of internet they received.)

Comments

Works for me

[Enigma2175]

I have been on a municipal fiber network for over 10 years and it's been great. A high bandwidth symmetrical connection with a wide choice in ISPs. Previously I had cable internet through Comcast and the network stability, level of service and price have been like night and day. Internet is pretty crucial to living in modern society, it should be treated as a utility and a basic level of service provided to each home by the government. TV, phone and internet service providers still compete for the customer's business, they just do it on a level playing field.

Re:No kidding

[quonset]

Take a look at the states who have passed laws to prohibit or effectively restrict municipal broadband. Citing a handful of states is cherry-picking. Of the states listed in the above report, 17 out of 24 voted for Trump and all of them have laws regarding municipal broadband.

In other words, 70% of states who voted red in the last presidential election and have laws restricting municipal broadband constitutes a pattern. Exactly as I said.

Re:Way overdue

[cb88]

Because commercial internet is artificially bad... just so it looks likey they are trying really hard to make it better but in fact are just milking the customer and government for subsidies.

Municipal interent isn't necessarily "public".... in the sense of free, in fact it almost certainly isn't... but is is cheaper just based on the fact that you are getting what you are paying for rather than than just feeding billions into some guy's pocket.

Re:Way overdue

[dryeo]

Utility is perhaps the wrong word. Here in Canada, it is considered an essential service, meaning that the private (and public where they exist) internet providers have to provide you internet for a reasonable price if you request it, often with government (Provincial and perhaps Federal as well) often subsidizing the buildout in rural areas.
In my case, living about 40 miles from Vancouver, there is no cell coverage or cable and the phone lines seem to use rusty barbed wire, so only slow (26.4) dial-up. I was informed last year that my ISP was discontinuing dial-up service as of Nov 16th and suggested I switch to cellular (about $70 for 10 GBs + $150 for a modem). They quit charging me in the new year and froze my profile (big deal, I never touched it) but the dial-up is still working as they can't cut me off as long as I'm willing to pay. Once they finish building the new cell tower (subsidized by the Province so the smart metre will actually not require a meter reader anymore), I'll probably be forced to use it but until then, it's an essential service and they can't cut me off. Too much stuff depends on the internet now. Next year fiber is supposed to show up, once again subsidized by the Province and they'll have to sell it me for the same price as in town.
It's like electricity and the phone, if you pay, they have to supply it if possible and for the same price. You might only be able to get 110 volt service but that is considered acceptable