Broadband monopolies push bill that would crush the ability to stand up to them
Full disclosure: I represent telecom companies, but I’m speaking only for myself.<p>> [The bill] eliminates the ability of local governments to require rules such as an ISP having to serve the whole community<p>Such requirements kill fiber development. Laying fiber is expensive, and having to lay it through neighborhoods where most people won’t or can’t subscribe just increases the price for everyone.<p>It’s not just the traditional telcos or cable companies. There is a reason Google Fiber has this concept of “fiberhoods” where you need a certain level of demonstrated interest in subscription before they’ll build in those areas. The city of Baltimore wanted to kick out Comcast and have someone build fiber across the city. Verizon wouldn’t do it because of the coverage requirements. Google wouldn’t do it either. The city is now looking at building the network itself, but it has no money: <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/internet-wifi-high-speed-baltimore-city-digital-divide-H5FWXF2Q75BELPOFBGIYPWVZGU/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-gove...</a><p>Many of the other things the article complains about are similarly roadblocks to development. It’s actually the same exact thing as NIMBY regulations that stop housing development. Again, look at the places Google ended up deploying fiber. If you ignore webpass, every deployment is in states that are low-regulation generally (Utah, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, etc.)