42% of Americans Have Broadband > Simply Isn't Suitable

Simply Isn't Suitable

The black hole problem is one if the reasons why I think there should be a federal program like the Tennessee Valley Authority, or the Rural Electrification Act both of the 1930's. This Rural Broadband Act could be setup like the current rural electric Co/Op's. The people getting the service would also be the owners of the company.
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Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you.

[sarcasm on]oh no you didn't! you didn't just suggest the government actually DO something constructive with the trillions in tax dollars we give them![/sarcasm off]

see, the freemarketeers would have you believe that the free market would have brought rural areas electricity by...oh, last week sometime...if we had just listened to them. no need to bring the whole nation up to speed on this advancement, no siree bob. let the wealthy decide where services like these will be deployed. or better yet, let big wealthy companies decide what's best for every community in their footprint and sue the shite out of them if they dare disobey.

i concur with your assessment; sounds low risk enough for even the tightest amongst us.

reply to Transmaster
US Dept. of Ag has a program for rural areas. »www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm

However, the way I read it, is only for cities, towns, and villages. Also, if the area already has a least one broadband provider, then the funds are not avaiable.

To me the big question is whether internet access is getting to be important for everyday living. Followed up by whether or not broadband access important or not. I don't know what the answer is today to either one of these quetions, but yes for the first is coming quick, if not there, and yes to the second won't be far behind. Therefore, should the lines used for broadband be owned by the private sector, or the public. Not talking about content, but the access. Perhaps think in terms of roads and highways. The government builds and maintains the roads, but people have free access to them.

I do think people should be allowed to form coop for broadband, VOIP, and Cable TV if they wish. I'm a member of an electric coop, and this it works very well. If nothing else, it would but ownership into the hands of the coop memebers, and keep the telco's and cable operators from forming monopolies

Just my two cents

reply to garagerock

reply to Nuts
It strikes me the Rural electric Co/Op would be the ideal vehicle for rural/black hole service REA (now called
Touch Stone Energy) already has the rights of way and the poles to string fiber on.
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Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you.

reply to JTRockville
I guess I lost myself typing that quickly...you're right!