July 18th, 2007
Bill would prevent states from blocking local Wi-Fi networks
As the battle between open access and corporate control rages on in a number of contexts (net neutrality, long-distance spectrum) U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., has introduced a bill to keep states from putting up barriers to public broadband networks, reports Top Tech News
Boucher says the Internet is not a series of tubes but rather a public utility, such as water or electricity. His bill would preserve local governments’ ability to build their own municipal broadband networks.
“Broadband is every bit as essential as electricity was when it was emerging 100 years ago,” he said.
Many communities have sought to build their own networks to provide upgraded, and in some cases, free service to residents, provoking strong responses from providers such as Time Warner and Comcast, who cry unfair government competition. Thus far, 12 states have passed laws restricting public-funded networks.
One state legislator who has drawn Boucher’s ire is Rep. Drew Saunders, Democratic chairman of the N.C. House Public Utilities Committee, who has introduced a bill in the North Carolina House to block local governments from subsidizing communication services with taxes or other money. Saunders wants government networks to be required to show a profit.
“We’re not saying they cannot compete,” Saunders said. “We’re saying that if you do, you’ve got to do some of the same things (as) private industry.”
But in Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Sturla, a Democrat, is pushing to end a state law limiting municipal broadband to rural areas not covered by telco offerings. Verizon, which was behind the law when it was passed in 2004, has dropped its opposition to public networks.
