Monday, January 24, 2005

Heads up on broadband

Blog correspondent bluegill let us know about a telco-backed bill before the Indiana legislature that would practically preclude municipalities from creating the infrastructure for high-speed Internet service when the less and less regulated utilities refuse to install it.

Now, Greg Gapsis of the Evening News provides us with a story about Charlestown's efforts to stay connected to the wider world.

The council is expected to decide whether to move forward with an unique partnership that would create Charlestown Wireless, a technology venture that would bring state-of-the-art wireless Internet connections to the entire city. The vote is planned during a special State of the City meeting...read more

House Bill No. 1148 can be found at
http://www.ai.org/legislative/bills/2005/IN/IN1148.1.html
and I'm reliably informed that the underlying documents literally bear the stamp of one telco's chief lobbyist. No kidding. And these guys are serious. Although a previous attempt to smother municipal Internet ventures was tossed by the courts in another state, this time they think they've covered all the bases, and if it passes it would effectively be a telco protection act.

Gapsis's story lays out just how important broadband service is to a community's continued vitality.

If you're a Charlestown resident, know that tonight's City Council meeting could mark a turning point in that city's development.

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