[TriLUG] mostly OT: Tech Lobbyist

[Steve Litt via TriLUG]

On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:32:10 -0400
Scott Chilcote via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org> wrote:

 
> I consider it egregious in the utmost that the commercial providers
> have the unvarnished gall to turn around and lobby at the state
> capitol to intercede, when they give communities no other option.
> Internet access is no longer a luxury.  Welcome to the global
> economy, where having the tools to compete is essential. 
> 
> It's unfortunate that not every town government makes good decisions
> when it comes to building out broadband networks.  It's far more
> unfortunate that they are given no other way to succeed.

I agree and would add this:

How often do you see municipalities install gas stations? Convenience
stores? Movie theatres?

Gas stations, convenience stores and movie theatres all have one thing
in common: Lots of competition. Prices and quality are determined by a
marketplace.

Now ask yourself this: In how many places do you find more than two
choices for >2Mbit down and >100Kbit up? In how many places do you find
only one? In how many places are there zero, resulting in the need to
download via satellite TV and upload via telephone, or go dialup?

When lack of competition makes services so expensive and so bug-adorned
that the municipality is tempted to give its citizens a better deal,
that's a damnation on the local connectivity marketplace.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
August 2015 featured book: Troubleshooting: Just the Facts
http://www.troubleshooters.com/tjust