This week in Building Local Power, we are focusing on what makes and breaks markets – market power, monopoly, and antitrust. As we discuss with noted antitrust Silicon Valley lawyer Gary Reback, markets require intelligent intervention to prevent power from becoming too consolidated. Let’s be blunt – if you are happy with the Internet access choices … Read More
Maine is the latest battleground for local telecommunications authority. A bill in the state’s House of Representatives threatens to halt investment in “The Pine Tree State” at a time when local communities are taking steps to improve their own connectivity. “I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means” Rep. Nathan Wadsworth (R-Hiram) introduced … Read More
Maine State Representative Nathan Wadsworth (R-Hiram) introduced a bill to revoke local authority over building Internet networks needed by local businesses and residents. The one-time Maine state ALEC chair introduced HP 1040 (also cross filed as LD 1516) to advantage the big cable and telephone monopolies.… Read More
Public Knowledge recently released a video on changes in the new administration’s FCC policies. One by one, progress made during the last eight years is being sliced up and doled out to the detriment of ISP subscribers. Public Knowledge describes the video like this: This video draws attention to the growing list of giveaways by Congress … Read More
The Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency’s (UTOPIA) regional fiber network serves communities in the north central region of the state. Without the publicly owned network, it’s doubtful the eleven communities served would have access to high-quality Internet access. It’s almost certain they wouldn’t be able to choose between so many providers who operate on UTOPIA’s open … Read More
Tennessee has long been a thorn in the side of our broadband policy research team, thanks in large part to a pair of realities. 1) Chattanooga, Tenn. has some of the best connectivity in the world thanks to its municipal broadband network and 2) there’s a restrictive state law that disables municipalities from investing in their connectivity. This piece from Next City details that trend.… Read More
The Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City, Michigan, continues to weigh its options to improve high-speed Internet service. The city of 12,000 homes and businesses has the results of a feasibility study and is carefully eliminating options as they look for the one that best suits their needs. Most Likely Possibilities Local newspapers, the Traverse … Read More
Tennessee has long been a thorn in the side of our broadband policy research team, thanks in large part to a pair of realities. 1) Chattanooga, Tenn. has some of the best connectivity in the world thanks to its municipal broadband network and 2) there’s a restrictive state law that disables municipalities from investing in their connectivity. It’s detailed in this piece by ThinkProgress.… Read More
When state legislators in Tennessee recently passed the Broadband Accessibility Act of 2017, tech writers quoted our Christopher Mitchell, who pointed out that the proposal has some serious pitfalls. Christopher’s statement appeared in several articles.… Read More
