by dtparr on 4/12/17, 4:12 PM
Reading the actual bill [0], this coverage seems slanted. The bill specifically allows rural electric and phone co-ops to offer broadband, and also says that they can provide it outside their service area as long as they get the permission of the municipal/co-op who does service that area.
Also, the grants are not specifically to Comcast/AT&T, or even just to private businesses. From the text of the bill, the grants have to be able to go to: "political subdivisions or entities of political subdivisions, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or other business entities that provide broadband services; cooperatives organized under the Rural Electric and Community Services Cooperative Act or the Telephone Cooperative Act, and any other entity authorized by state law to provide broadband services."
While I'm all for freeing EPB to do their thing wherever they can, this article seems to be slanting things more than a bit.
[0]-http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNu...
by bkmartin on 4/12/17, 3:50 PM
Other than voting out members of congress... is there any legal action that can be taken against the lawmakers for such a brazen act that goes so strongly against the good of the people? When the math is so cut and dry, are they no longer upholding their oath? Any lawsuit to file or impeachment proceedings? What can a citizen do when a large group of legislators does something so financially irresponsible for their people?
by micah_chatt on 4/12/17, 3:59 PM
For reference, with EPB 100M is $60/mo, 1G is $70/mo, and 10G is $300/mo. EPB is hugely popular here in Chattanooga, not just because of the internet speeds, but for stellar customer service. Install of fiber internet: free. Don't want internet for a month: no contract, no penalty. Have a problem and need to talk to someone: Call in 24/7 and talk to a human right away.
by dvdhnt on 4/12/17, 3:53 PM
Chattanooga resident here.
I was living downtown and had EPB. Not only are their speeds fantastic and prices quite reasonable, their customer service is amazing.
We recently moved right outside of their coverage area and are forced to use Comcast. The bill is higher, speeds slower, and customer service nonexistent.
by tgb on 4/12/17, 3:45 PM
The title seems misleading: the alternative is not free internet, but internet expanded out to the suburban/rural areas for free, which then charges customers for access. This is in comparison to paying commercial companies to expand to those areas. It's really just less expensive, not free.
by aNapierkowski on 4/12/17, 3:44 PM
I would love for articles to start giving names of state legislators that voted to pass the bill being reported on. This would make it much easier for voters in these areas to know who's voting for what.
I guess it probably is more work than is beneficial for the journalists?
by evv on 4/12/17, 3:45 PM
Why is anybody surprised? This is a classic telco playbook:
- Promise awesome infrastructure
- Lobby to get taxpayers to pay for it
- Refuse to deliver, without recourse
- Profit!!!
by saboot on 4/12/17, 3:36 PM
Here in Knoxville I see billboards welcoming Gig-Speed internet by Comcast.
It costs something like $300/mo with a two year contract and some ridiculous $2000 or so installation price.
Gee, thanks?
by exabrial on 4/12/17, 3:27 PM
Are there are build-out guarantees on the contract? I'd love to see the companies be sued once they fail to deliver.
by misc213 on 4/12/17, 3:35 PM
Well, in future years they'll be able to generate additional economic activity by having to go back and install another new network.
by rb808 on 4/12/17, 4:03 PM
I really like the idea of a local utility that provides both last mile power and fiber internet. Looks like Chattanooga has been very well run to get this organized well.
I am a little reluctant to say that every city should have a publicly owned utility to run its infrastructure but compared the alternatives it does look preferable.
by djschnei on 4/12/17, 3:58 PM
What exactly is a municipal private loan that doesn't cost tax payers anything?
by btrautsc on 4/12/17, 5:36 PM
I live here. EPB is amazing.
This is infuriating.
by cckumarr on 4/12/17, 4:22 PM
the article ends with "exact definition of crony capitalism" noice!!