Posted on 01/27/2015 2:53:26 PM PST by alexmark1917
Last Tuesday evening during the State of the Union address, President Obamapledged “to protect a free and open Internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community, and help folks build the fastest networks.” Obama is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to challenge a wave of state laws blocking the construction of municipal broadband networks, which are high-speed Internet services run by local communities.
Here’s what you need to know about the president’s proposal and what it might mean for consumers.
Why Can’t Cities Just Build Their Own Broadband Networks?
Although there are about 300 municipal broadband networks across the country, laws in about 20 states create multiple administrative and financial hurdles for new networks to get off the ground. Such legislation makes it difficult, for example, for communities to issue bonds to cover the upfront costs of building a network or tolease out unused fiber as a way to offset their costs. In Florida, residential broadband networks must demonstrate how they plan to turn a profit within four years, a tall order. According to The Baller Herbst Law Group, so-called fiber-to-the-home networks often take much longer to become profitable. In Nevada, there are population restrictions. Municipalities are prohibited from providing broadband if the population exceeds 25,000; for counties, it is 55,000 or more.
Why Have Some States Put These Restrictions on Municipal Broadband Networks?
The cable lobby and some conservatives believe that the business of Internet service should stay in the private sector. Last week, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer calledObama’s plan “a new federal takeover of state laws governing broadband and the Internet.” Telecom industry groups such as the National Cable & Telecommunications Association have argued that these networks are risky investments that could drive cities into debt. Telecom companies have donatedmillions of dollars to state and federal politicians on both sides of the aisle. Besides contributions, the cable lobby has directly submitted legislation to restrict municipal broadband networks and taken fledgling networks to court. Last year, according to a report by Ars Technica, the Kansas Legislature squashed a bill to limit municipal broadband networks that was drafted and submitted by the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association. When Lafayette Utilities System in Louisiana announced its intention to build a municipal broadband network, they faced three years of court battles with two incumbent Internet providers, costing them $4 million, according to a report from the Center for Public Integrity.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/28760-obama-wants-you-to-have-cheap-fast-internet-but-many-cities-aren-t-allowed-to-provide-it
Promoting Investment in Broadband Infrastructure
Letter to U.S Dept. Of Commerce
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=60001013458
Thune Announces Hearing on FCC Internet Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today announced that the committee will convene its first hearing of the 114thCongress entitled, “Protecting the Internet and Consumers through Congressional Action” on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. The hearing will feature non-government expert witnesses testifying about current authorities of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress’ options to update outdated laws for the Internet Age.
Thune issued the following statement regarding the need for the hearing after months of bipartisan discussions that could lay the foundation for bipartisan legislation:
“Clear and reasonable rules are what every business and consumer needs and expects – this also applies to the Internet. The FCC currently has limited options to write rules that escape the uncertainty of litigation while protecting innovation. Clear statutory authority from Congress is necessary to update FCC authority for the Internet Age, escape court challenges, and avoid regulatory overreach from outdated laws.
“Agreement by Congress will require focused and robust discussion but I have identified eleven principles I believe can be the foundation of a bipartisan solution. Next Wednesday will be an opportunity to discuss and gather input from experts on ways Congress can focus on a solution that avoids saddling the Internet with an arcane regulatory framework designed for the monopoly phone era.”
http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1d50eab7-9751-4adf-9914-cce155cba204
Community Broadband Act
Community Broadband Act by Senator Cory Booker
Petitions for Preemption of State Restrictions on Broadband Deployment
http://www.fcc.gov/document/petitions-preemption-state-restrictions-broadband-deployment
Read more at http://investmentwatchblog.com/detailed-report-despite-obamas-call-for-cheap-fast-internet-many-cities-arent-allowed-to-provide-it/#bxscc1Mk0Og4ObK0.99
Interesting that you only post from a single source:
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:alexmark1917/index?tab=articles
Why is that?
This might be the unintentional creation of a new verb, "to Obamapledge," meaning to pledge something one never intends to fulfill, as in being able to keep one's doctor, along with the concomitant noun "Obamapledge" being a pledge that the pledger never intends to fulfill.
How about “cash for slow IP’s?”
Put all the servers in a big pile and we can dance around them like savages as they burn in the night.
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