Community broadband; allows communities build the exact broadband networks they need, removes barriers to community networks and prevents additional barriers for community networks. Although community broadband is an incredibly positive initiative for communities across the country, major telecommunication corporations have lobbied against these movements. Due to the extensive lobbying power of these corporations, numerous state barriers against community broadband networks have arisen.

More states are enacting barriers against community broadband networks, making these initiatives increasingly more challenging, despite overwhelming community support. 19 states have already implemented barriers against these networks. Building locally-owned broadband coalitions help stop anti-competitive legislation. The people must stand up and push for local and public-owned broadband networks to combat these major corporations and their anti-competitive legislation.

“When cities and local governments are prohibited from investing directly in their own broadband networks, citizens may be denied the opportunity to connect with their nation and improve their lives. Local economies will suffer as a result, and the communities’ ability to effectively address education, health, public safety, and other social issues will be severely hampered.” – FCC Commissioner Clyburn

Considering the tremendous backlash against these broadband networks, communities will be limited to choosing between slow DSL and a moderately fast cable connection. If community broadband networks were not under fire, they would be able to provide much faster speeds at much lower prices for communities versus slow DSL cable connections. The reliability of fiber-optic connections far exceeds that of cable connections.

“In the case of Nixon v. Missouri, the Supreme Court decided that ‘any entity’ did not include cities and counties, giving states the power to ban publicly owned networks or create barriers to discourage such implementation. This interpretation of the 1996 Telecom Act is inconsistent with the legislative history of the Act and its expressed purpose of encouraging competition. Many FCC Commissioners have called on Congress to correct the Supreme Court’s error, leading to Recommendation 8.19 in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan: ‘Congress should make clear that Tribal, state, regional and local governments can build broadband networks.’ ”

LanCity Connect wants to offer the fastest speeds possible while providing affordability. We hope our community continues to stand by the implementation of community broadband networks and limit the power of large telecommunications corporations.