Federal Anti-Municipal Wi-Fi Bill Introduced

dcstone writes “A Texas Congressman has introduced a bill that would impose a nationwide prohibition on municipally-sponsored networks.

The telecommunications operators say that such networks represent unfair competition while municipalities claim that the services are needed to promote business and close the gap between digital haves and have-nots.

http://www.mobilepipeline.com/164300100“

June 7, 2005 by Uncategorized 3

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3 Responses

  1. kmhess says:
    June 7, 2005 at 3:29 am

    Telco Subsidies…
    I’ve lived numerous places – some have garbage service provided by the municipality; others I’ve had to arrange my own. Same for: water, power, sewer, cable (which included internet access), etc. Some private, some public: seemed to work for me.

    So why is wifi any different? I’ve never had, or heard of, city phone service, or city cell phone service. Apparently wifi is intruding on that market for both – especially cell phone service. So this really is a subsidy for Telco companies so they can stay in business, which consumers pay for with higher prices and lower service. Ooooh! Sign me up!!!

    Reply
  2. mdoneil says:
    June 7, 2005 at 3:35 am

    I don’t think this will fly.
    If municipalities can run water systems, electricity systems, telephone systems and other utilities then they should be able to run IP networks. If others want to provide competing systems thats fine, offer services or service level agreements that the city won’t offer.

    A city just north of where I live recently signed an agreement to offer WiFi. Dunedin, Florida will be offering WiFi for ~$30. I hope it bleeds over the few blocks to my house as I’d like to dump the DSL.

    Reply
  3. Daniel says:
    June 7, 2005 at 3:58 am

    What ever happened to federalism/local control?
    It’s sad when there is a bipartisan consensus that Washington may intervene in every aspect of local life. To me it seems like the argument over limited vs big federal government has been settled to both parties satisfaction. The only arguments left are over which areas the feds should override local controls.

    Makes one nostalgic for the Articles of Confederation.

    Reply

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