Wilson, NC Fights Community Broadband Ban Carriers try to kill symmetrical FTTH operation... symmetrical speeds up to 100Mbps -- far surpassing the best local incumbents Embarq and Time Warner Cable have to offer. Embarq and Time Warner Cable did what any carrier in a government-protected duopoly would do: they began a several year campaign to lobby state legislators to not only pass laws that would effectively cripple or ban such operations, but also prohibit this community from getting access to broadband stimulus funds . In response, local city officials have launched a The city of Wilson, North Carolina launched a $28 million municipal broadband operation named Greenlight last year, offeringspeeds up to 100Mbps -- far surpassing the best local incumbents Embarq and Time Warner Cable have to offer. Embarq and Time Warner Cable did what any carrier in a government-protected duopoly would do: they began a several year campaign to lobby state legislators to not only pass laws that would effectively cripple or ban such operations, but also. In response, local city officials have launched a new website and FAQ arguing against the bills. This IndyWeek report on the Wilson network is a must read, and notes the city went first to Time Warner and Embarq to build the network, but they refused.







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Most recommended from 98 comments



FFH5

Premium Member

join:2002-03-03

Tavistock NJ 2 recommendations FFH5 Premium Member Bills make good sense - avoid tax cross-subsidization



From the city officials complaining about these bills own web site:

»savencbb.wordpress.com/about/ The bills would:



* Prohibit cities from moving money between broadband and other divisions. So, Wilson citizens cant expect to see any of their subscription fees go to pave streets and build basketball courts. Does that make sense?

* Ban cities from pricing service below the cost of providing the service. Cable and phone companies run temporary cheap sign-up specials all the time. I doubt theyre following that rule even now. In other words, the bills would prevent cities from finding more ways to raise taxes not dedicated to the reason they were created for in the 1st place. If city broadband can't pay its own way, then it shouldn't exist. These bills don't stop gov't broadband. They merely prevent taxpayer moneys for other services like trash, water & electric from subsidizing broadband costs.From the city officials complaining about these bills own web site:In other words, the bills would prevent cities from finding more ways to raise taxes not dedicated to the reason they were created for in the 1st place. If city broadband can't pay its own way, then it shouldn't exist. Goldman

join:2002-06-21

Maumelle, AR 2 recommendations Goldman Member It's a shame I guess Wilson didn't have anything better it could do with $28 million than replicate a service offered by private companies. This is a totally irresponsible use of tax dollars.

battleop

join:2005-09-28

00000 2 recommendations battleop Member When you don't have to be responsible... When you don't have to be responsible for the money you spend you can do things like this.



"Ban cities from pricing service below the cost of providing the service."



Oh you mean like run the network like a real business and not a government agency? If they would only apply this law to everything government does.