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Ars Technica is reporting on San Francisco's initial steps to create a citywide fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) open-access network where ISPs compete for customers.
According to Ars Technica:
San Francisco is trying to find network providers to build a city-wide, gigabit fiber Internet service with mandated net neutrality and consumer privacy protections. It would be an open-access network, allowing multiple ISPs to offer service over the same lines and compete for customers.
The city yesterday issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to find companies that are qualified "to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain a ubiquitous broadband FTTP [fiber-to-the-premises] network that permits retail service providers to lease capacity on the network." The project would also involve a free Wi-Fi service for city parks, city buildings, major thoroughfares, and visitor areas. Low-income residents would qualify for subsidies that make home Internet service more affordable.
ISPs offering service over the network would not be allowed to block or throttle lawful Internet traffic or engage in paid prioritization. ISPs would also need customers' opt-in consent "prior to collecting, using, disclosing, or permitting access to customer personal information or information about a customer's use of the network."
Could this be the first major US metropolitan area to create a real free market in broadband Internet? Do any Soylentils have similar municipal networks?
(Score: 2) by frojack on Monday February 05 2018, @08:31PM
Ohhh, someone didn't even read TFS, let alone TFA:
Government won't be running it!
You might be thinking streets and water. BZZZZT Wrong, but thanks for playing.
It will be more like trash pickup. Contracted to WastManagement, or some other big corporation, and once entrenched too big to change hands, and impossible to reduce costs.
Further, things this big have a habit of getting half built, typically in the down town business core, and rich neighborhoods, and then run out of money. Those areas are left with a government subsidized network and decent service, and everyone else is left with the same old shit they had before.
My county is doing this for new subdivisions on the QT (not making it well known). But the choice of upstreams is still quite limited, because some upstreams refuse to play along.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.