Internet for All? This Radical Solution Could Make it Happen - More Perfect Union

[TexasTowelie]

What if you owned your internet company? The Biden administration has authorized the biggest public investment in broadband in U.S. history. But now Comcast, Verizon, and other big telecom companies are fighting to get their hands on the money. America needs them to lose, and public-ownership to win.

[Warpy]

1. A public utility wireless internet would be key

to expanding access in a lot of places where only overpriced (and not always workable) satellite is available for broadband.

My old town in coastal Mass. still doesn't have any alternatives besides satellite, which goes out every 3 days in winter when another snowstorm moves in, or slow dial up.

Of course, when Republicans (or whoever succeeds them as the party of the parasite class) get in, the first order of business will be to pass legislation to privatize that public utility, too.

[Silent Type]

2. There are some areas where public ownership will work well. There are

others where it would be a chitshow. But people do deserve access to affordable — and in some cases “free” — access.

My 40k population town handles water and trash pickup quite well. There is an EMC that seems reasonable, emergency and police seem OK, etc. I think they could handle internet, but doubt it would be much cheaper, if any. We do have heavy competition for internet.

But if I were to move just 10 or so miles north, not sure what speed I’d get.

[Jerryatric]

3. I tried to change internet providers last week.

I spent all day on the phone, calling the many that google claims service my town. I don't live in the middle of nowhere, I live 30 miles from Chicago and my only choice is comcast, which is what I have now and was trying to get away from. I used to have ATT, but even they said they couldn't give me enough speed to stream a tv show and suggested I call Xfinity. My ex lives 2 miles away and has ATT high speed. One person I called finally told me that comcast owns the new underground lines they recently put in here and won't lease them to other companies so I have no choice. I am not happy so I look forward to change coming to internet service.