If you think you have a well developed theory on the why or why not of
the municipal broadband debate you must read this article.
Some of the conclusions:
The US is desperately behind in broaband compared to the rest the world.
As for existing US broadband.We are paying way too much for way too
little compared to the rest of the world.
US monopolies are have bloated the price of broadband and slowed investment.
Lack of Federal and State policy/programs/tax breaks/incentives are
mostly to blame.
As we learned during the electrification of the rural US free enterprise
is not the best system for bringing real low cost broadband to everyone.
If your municipality really wants to be on the broadband grid and your
expecting help from private telcos... your screwed.
Municipal broadband or the threat of municipal broadband has been shown
to encourage private sector investment.
Most places including NYC should be shopping around for a municipal
broadband solution if they expect their businesses to compete on a
global level.
The US communication infrastructure is stagnating and the fixes will
come from a combination public policy *AND* private enterprise.
*Let There Be Wi-Fi*
Broadband is the electricity of the 21st century—and much of America is
being left in the dark.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0601.podesta.html
--
NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/
Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/
Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
