Obama: Cities Should Be Able to Build Broadband Networks
Here are President Obama's and the Republican FCC Commissioner's responses to the topic of municipal broadband.
Obama: Cities Should Be Able to Build Broadband Networks
BY CHLOE ALBANESIUS JANUARY 14, 2015 04:45PM EST
President Obama on Wednesday formally voiced his support for municipal broadband networks, arguing that we "should do everything we can to push back" against laws that ban city-run Internet service.
The president today formally opposed measures that limit municipal broadband, and the White House urged the Federal Communications Commission to take up the issue by "addressing barriers inhibiting local communities from responding to the broadband needs of their citizens."...
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...His colleague, Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, saw things differently today, and called on the FCC to "reject this blatant and unnecessary interference designed to further a political goal."
"Substantively, this missive is completely without statutory authority and would be a good candidate for court review, if adopted," he continued. "In reality, this debate is about preempting a state's right to prevent taxpayer rip-offs. Municipal broadband has never proven to be the panacea that supporters claim and the Administration now boasts. Instead, we have seen a long track record of projects costing more than expected and delivering less than promised."...
Full article:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475196,00.asp
