SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 05 2018, @09:05PM (2 children)
Holy crap, way to be clueless. Capitalists don't believe in competition, that is just lip service that is supposed to hand wave away all the problems. "Competition drives efficiency! Better for everyone!!"
In general the theory holds, but it falls apart when humans get involved. Not to mention there are times when competition might hurt both parties, imagine two small grocery shops that compete and cause each other so much financial drain that one closes and the other takes a long time to recover or drastically increases prices to get back in the black.
Or how about the Walmarts of the world? Is 10-20% price discounts worth losing your local economy? What about the local people who now earn poverty wages and increase the drain on welfare services?
You are an arrogant fool, you skipped schooling and went straight to the trades, and your mild success makes you think you're the expert on everything. It is sad yet infuriating since it is people like you dragging this country to hell trying to fight commies/liberals/socialists/(lol)fascists. You can't even keep your terms straight.
(Score: 1, Troll) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday February 05 2018, @09:17PM (1 child)
Exactly what I'd expect a product of our higher education system to parrot. People are actually coming of "institutions of learning" profoundly stupider than they went in nowadays. Do at least try and have a thought that violates your amalgamation of socialist/communist/fascist brainwashing once in a while. It'll only hurt for a moment, I promise.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 05 2018, @09:32PM
Projection 101 with Professor Buzzard.
"Hey, where's the class?"