Tennessee, Virginia municipal broadband proposals reignite debate

[Commentary] Municipal broadband continues to be a hotbed of debate, one that's coming to a head again in Tennessee and Virginia. Each of these states has proposed changes in the laws that govern municipal-run networks. But the question is whether their proposals are a step forward or just another way to protect incumbent telco and cable companies' hold on the broadband market.

In both of these states, incumbent telecom and cable companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Comcast would like to retain their upper hand. Incumbents continually make two main arguments about municipal broadband: Government-run companies get an unfair advantage and other municipal provider efforts have failed. While there’s no shortage of failed municipal broadband providers like Bristol Virginia Utilities (BVU), there are a number of success stories like Danville (VA), Longmont (CO), and the emerging Roanoke Valley Authority. The new debates that have emerged in Tennessee and Virginia aren’t just about giving consumers the highest speed, but providing connectivity for day-to-day activities like doing school work.