Thursday, April 07, 2011

North Carolina Legislate to Limit Muni Broadband is Neither Fair Nor Level

Last week House Bill 129 was passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives, and it is now making its way through the Senate.  This piece of legislation’s sole purpose is to protect the incumbent service providers in the state in areas where they cannot afford to make investments for advanced broadband services.  It unfairly limits municipalities ability to drive economic growth and stimulate competition in the communications marketplace.  States that enact this type of legislation are limiting their long-term growth capabilities.  Competitive content and service providers need to band together to support municipal broadband as an alternative method to deliver their services and content.  The best way to ensure net neutrality is through greater competition. 

I have written a longer editorial on the topic in the news section at Inphotonics Research.  Please read it and provide any feedback you feel fitting.