[deleted] t1_jdf2xtq wrote
All this does is validate the telecom business model is an outdated system.
Internet is a utility. The global economy would have collapsed if we didn't have internet infrastructure which allowed people to work from home. It's a matter of public need, not a perk of a privilege lifestyle.
The government needs to transition into a municipal approach to the service and stop treating it like a private thing. It's a utility. Treat it like a utility.
formerPhillyguy t1_jdf3puv wrote
The problem is local governments tax that service but don't have to do anything to receive that revenue. You're asking them to work for their money.
[deleted] t1_jdf4tx0 wrote
They tax the business end of the service.
The reality is the economic benefit to a local economy of having stable and accessible internet infrastructure is above and beyond what they collect in taxing the service.
If those tax dollars disappeared overnight and internet became a public utility backed by the state, the expansion of that service would create an economic boom which is just as taxable as the service itself.
Think about the tens of thousands of businesses which use this infrastructure and get taxed. That supersedes the taxation of a single company or group of companies providing the service.
Flameancer t1_jdi55fu wrote
Yea maybe if telcos were utilities I would have more than one option for high speed internet. As it stands my choice is between Spectrum and ATT, but ATT can only give me a 3Mbps connection. So really my only option is spectrum.
[deleted] t1_jdi6as4 wrote
The other issue is jurisdiction over telephone pole infrastructure.
Google ran into a legal issue with localities who had given full control of telephone poles to the ISPs. They were technically considered private property even though the poles were planted on public soil.
Google was basically being told that if they wanted to expand their Google Fiber internet service, they would need to have their own poles built as they couldn't run lines on what already existed.
I believe Google had laws changed locally in a lot of places as even the local governments were tired of the ISPs and their bullshit.
But this is one of those reasons why ISPs have monopolies in many places. Getting infrastructure built is a fucking nightmare.
Flameancer t1_jdi6ixe wrote
Yea google fiber came to my city and paused their rollout but it appears that they are still adding places…..just not near me.
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