Why our broadband policy's still a mess

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Good questions

"If the private sector doesn't want to do it then why not have government do it?"

I have lived in various cities where public services where run privately and publically. Without a doubt services were cheaper and better when run by the public/private sector. Whenever the government gets involved in anything the price triples and service gets worse.

Most government programs are not used by the vast majority, and those that do not use the service are required to pay for services they do not use.

Who is going to run tech support? Who is going to maintain the equipment? What about areas that will be in the city taxing area and not able to receive the service? Are they going to pay for that? How are you going to stop business from using the "free service"? I live near a city that provides bus services that I would have to drive into the city to use, yet I pay a tax to enable that service. Plus the bus service is going broke btw.

So the city says we will hire a private company to run it. Oh really? What happens if the private firm does not do a good job and the service is shut down? Why not make incentives like tax breaks to the telcos etc. to bring in the services. Look at the cable situation nationwide. I do live 5 miles from a cable provider that could offer me internet, voip, TV etc. Yet I am at the end of the line in the area that is governementally liscensed in my area. All I can get from them is 26 channels and I still have to pay full basic price. I tried to get permission to get the other company and was told no it would mess up the franchising situation.

Bottom line, the costs will be too high. Internet is a "want" not a "need" that the government should provide. City gov can provide water, sewage, garbage pickup, roads but that is about it. Anything else is not a necessity why should the tax payers pay for that? Where does it stop?

Posted by: Squawkbox   Posted on: 02/28/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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