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from the do-not-pass-go,-do-not-collect-$200 dept.
Big Telecom Convinces Missouri Lawmakers To Block Funding For Broadband Competition:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) set aside $42.5 billion to be spent by the states on expanding access to affordable broadband. But state by state, telecom lobbyists are working hard to ensure that this money only goes toward "unserved" locations, and can't be used to potentially create competition in markets they already serve.
Last month we noted how states like Illinois, at the direct demand of companies like AT&T, have been passing restrictions on who can or can't access these funds. That includes blocking some cooperatives or local governments from building broadband networks. Since that's expressly forbidden by the IIJA, these states are risking all broadband funding
In other instances it's a bit more subtle than that. Missouri, for example, just passed a bill (once again directly demanded by AT&T) stating that "no federal funds received by the state, political subdivision, city, town, or village shall be expended for the construction of retail broadband internet infrastructure unless the project to be constructed is located in an unserved area or underserved area."
On its face it doesn't seem controversial. But if you know how the U.S. telecom sector and policy actually works, its intention becomes more clear. The bill doesn't just block funding for areas that are already served, it blocks access to projects in areas incumbent ISPs claim they might serve someday:
the current version of the bill would allow incumbent ISPs to block federal funding to competitors if they vaguely indicate they have eventual interest in upgrading an area. Historically, state and federal regulators in fealty to regional monopolies aren't consistent about following up on fiber deployment promises, potentially perpetuating longstanding Internet access coverage gaps.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by bzipitidoo on Sunday May 01 2022, @10:47PM (1 child)
I used to visit the green site every day. Then they started ramming ads into the news feed.
What, I wonder, does SoylentNews plan to do? Hopefully not what the green site did! But the other options, I don't know. Keep laboring out of love, for the next several decades? Increase the automation to the point the site can run itself, no need for admin work more often than once a month? What's SN's most labor intensive need? I'd guess picking out the stories to post.
But on the larger picture of resolving the issues tech has brought to publication, is there any thought of, say, SN trying to form an alliance with other independent websites? Maybe join the Pirate Party? The alliance could decide upon policies, craft legislation, endorse candidates, fight legal battles, and all that.
One other thing I believe SN desperately needs is more users. Lots more users. Might be worth advertising the site itself. Mention SN on tech oriented subs, such as the reddit ones. Maybe mention SN on Linux distro forums, science sites, and so on.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Freeman on Monday May 02 2022, @02:18PM
If I had to guess, SoylentNews plans on staying up as long as they can. Assuming, they end up not funded, then it will be time to move on. The power over the site are in the hands of a few people and some unsavory deals could be made. I doubt it would survive that, though.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"