Freeing Cities From Telco and Cable Monopolies

FREEING CITIES FROM TELCO AND CABLE MONOPOLIES
[SOURCE: Government Technology, AUTHOR: John M. Eger, San Diego State University]
[Commentary] Right now in state capitols across America, legislation is being discussed or enacted to prevent the municipality [from playing] any role whatsoever in shaping its new information infrastructure. Over 100 other American cities have expressed the desire to provide such municipal services. Their city councils, their mayors, as well as their state legislators have threatened them. They have been told in no uncertain terms that the telecommunications business belongs to the private sector. Read that: the existing cable or telecommunications firms. Most cities -- already subsidized in some small way by a cable franchise -- are not willing to make the investment and possibly lose that subsidy. I'm convinced most, however, are simply afraid to act in the face of such state and local obstacles. We must find a way to free the cities. The city traditionally has been the center of all commerce and in the wake of a global knowledge economy, it is the cities who could be the incubators of creativity and innovation which will be the hallmarks of our success in the future.
http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=98812

* Municipal Wireless: Social Good or Private Gain?
http://choicelearning.blogspot.com/2006/03/municipal-wireless-social-goo...