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More and more municipalities are setting up their own broadband
In November, the people of Fort Collins, CO (against all odds) beat back a half million $$ comcast-supported propaganda campaign to defeat the ballot measure that allowed FC to investigate creating its own broadband utility. Along the front range of CO several communities are exploring including doing the same and Longmont is several years into their own development.
The following appeared in the local FC newspaper, which sees an impetus developing for moving ahead more quickly, if net neutrality is defeated. To this end, other communities could do the same.
Ending net neutrality could be a boon for Fort Collins municipal broadband
Ending net neutrality could be a boon for Fort Collins municipal broadband
Consider this paradox: If federal rules protecting net neutrality are rescinded, it could prove a boon to Fort Collins' municipal broadband efforts.
Federal net neutrality rules, set to be voted on by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, require internet service providers to treat all data the same. Open-internet supporters warn that rescinding those rules could lead to Internet-based companies being forced to pay more to have their services offered to consumers — for example, slowing Netflix streams so much they come with their own antique dial-up tones unless Netflix pays a premium.
If those fears materialize — Comcast has pledged not to discriminate against content — it could be a marketing tool for Fort Collins' planned municipal broadband effort. The Fort Collins City Council will develop policies around net neutrality and privacy for its users later in the project.
Council members have already advocated for maintaining net neutrality principles and enshrining privacy protections for city-run broadband. It is listed as a potential "market differentiator" on the city's high-level business plan concerning municipal broadband.
--more-- http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2017/12/13/ending-net-neutrality-could-boon-fort-collins-municipal-broadband/946923001/
Consider this paradox: If federal rules protecting net neutrality are rescinded, it could prove a boon to Fort Collins' municipal broadband efforts.
Federal net neutrality rules, set to be voted on by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, require internet service providers to treat all data the same. Open-internet supporters warn that rescinding those rules could lead to Internet-based companies being forced to pay more to have their services offered to consumers — for example, slowing Netflix streams so much they come with their own antique dial-up tones unless Netflix pays a premium.
If those fears materialize — Comcast has pledged not to discriminate against content — it could be a marketing tool for Fort Collins' planned municipal broadband effort. The Fort Collins City Council will develop policies around net neutrality and privacy for its users later in the project.
Council members have already advocated for maintaining net neutrality principles and enshrining privacy protections for city-run broadband. It is listed as a potential "market differentiator" on the city's high-level business plan concerning municipal broadband.
--more-- http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2017/12/13/ending-net-neutrality-could-boon-fort-collins-municipal-broadband/946923001/
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