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from the if-you-build-it-they-will-come dept.
TechDirt reports
Grassroots revolution [such as cities building fiber networks themselves or striking public/private partnerships with companies like Google Fiber or Ting/Tucows] is precisely why large ISPs like Charter, Comcast, and AT&T have spent the last decade lobbying for (and in most instances directly writing) protectionist bills across twenty different states banning local citizens from making these kinds of decisions for themselves. If you want to see precisely why these regional monopolists are so afraid, you need look no further than Huntsville, Alabama.
City-owned Huntsville Utilities has been building a fiber broadband network that should service the lion's share of the city's homes and businesses over the next few years. What's more, the network will be open access--meaning that ISPs can come in and compete with each other over the regional infrastructure. Google Fiber has already signed up to be one of at least three ISPs taking advantage of the build, and should begin offering service there by the middle of this year.
Have any Soylentils had this happen in their area?
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 18 2017, @06:50PM
The problem is there are not enough laws to keep companies like Comcast acting in the public interest. When you have a natural monopoly it is important for the state to step in, or else you get a situation like this.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday February 20 2017, @04:29AM
"natural monopoly"
Actually, I think that government has created most of the monopolies in America. Utilities and cable, telcos, and probably more that I'm overlooking. The last time the US government seriously went after a monopolistic company, was when Clinton was in office. Then, Bush took over, and the suit against Microsoft was dropped. Obama apparently never saw a monopoly that he didn't like - he knew which side his bread was buttered on. And now, Trump. The only monopoly that Trump might go after, is one which competes with his own interests.
No, I really don't think there is such a thing as a "natural monopoly".