Lee Roop

Huntsville (AL) Utilities officials hope to have "a possible path forward" to high-speed, fiber optic Internet service in Madison County within 90 days. The utility isn't talking about high-speed Internet to homes yet, and it hasn't committed to any investment in a high-speed grid. But news from nearby cities shows the expansion of such service in the region and the way new companies are making use of it.

Publicly owned high-speed Internet, cable and telephone service is an idea growing in popularity in Madison County, if recent forums, petitions and AL.Com polls are an indication.

City leaders are interested, too.

The Huntsville City Council recently approved Huntsville Utilities paying a consultant for advice on whether and how to proceed. One thing is certain: If local government is going to be involved, Alabama law Section 11-50B-1 will dictate how. It's the 2000 law governing public involvement in the market, and here are five things the law says:

1. The public has to ask for it in writing.
2. If cable TV is part of the deal, the public also has to vote for it.
3. The system must pay for itself.
4. Existing cable and satellite companies aren't forgotten.
5. Only customers served by the utility get the service.