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FCC's Clyburn Not Keen on Anti-Community Fiber Bills
Has 'Serious Concerns' About North Carolina Protectionism

At least one member of the FCC has noticed the disconnect between promising to bring next-generation broadband to all Americans -- while bills have been passed in more than a dozen states either banning or limiting communities' abilities to deploy their own broadband services -- even if nobody else will. Responding to a new bill being pushed through the North Carolina legislature at the behest of Time Warner Cable, Clyburn has issued a statement (pdf) insisting she has "serious concerns" about such efforts. "This piece of legislation certainly sounds goal-worthy, an innocuous proposition, but do not let the title fool you," says Clyburn. "This measure, if enacted, will not only fail to level the playing field; it will discourage municipal governments from addressing deployment in communities where the private sector has failed to meet broadband service needs."

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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Butt Out

Don't these clowns have a merger to rubber-stamp? Who are they to get involved in a state issue?

BeGood
@wideopenwest.com

BeGood

Anon

Re: Butt Out

So, you are telling the people of NC that corporations rule and their voices do not count? Glad to see someone from the Federal level take a stance against this crap.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: Butt Out

said by BeGood :

So, you are telling the people of NC that corporations rule and their voices do not count? Glad to see someone from the Federal level take a stance against this crap.

I agree. NC is ruled by corporate shills who have somehow convinced the population in the rural areas that corporate tax breaks and deregulation will somehow benefit them.

MEMEMEME
@cwru.edu

MEMEMEME

Anon

Re: Butt Out

This bill does NOT limit the state of NC from building out with a PARTNERSHIP. It stops them from building out using TAX money. If they can talk a private company (WOW/RCN,etc) into wiring those areas then that is great they can do it. If they can't well they can't use tax money. That's the only part that is limited. And the best part is the FCC has NO control nor say over this. They do not have a say so in what the states do nor the cities in terms of that nor can step in and block the bill.

The bill will pass and the cities that want to "level the playing field" will do so by bringing a private company to wire and giving them incentives to do so.

The problem with the FCC with this matter isn't that they have no power; its the fact that they have no real power to start off with. If the FCC was put back to the way they were when they were created Americans would be better off instead of having some "agency" that was created to protect the public airwaves from illegal radio stations we'd be better off. They have no clue about anything other than that and passing illegal rules that they can't even enforce to start off with. Congress; GUT the FCC and PULL their budget. The White House needs another gold toilet seat.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru

MVM

Re: Butt Out

said by MEMEMEME :

If they can talk a private company (WOW/RCN,etc) into wiring those areas then that is great they can do it. If they can't well they can't use tax money.

If the private sector fails to wire up an area, and the citizens vote and approve the local government filling the void, why is that wrong?
Prototype5
join:2003-09-24

1 edit

Prototype5

Member

Re: Butt Out

Because they will spend tax payers into a hole with no hope of ever making it into the black. Every single municipal Internet service I have read about has gone way over budget. By using "unlimited" tax funds with no intention of operating in the black, any private company would be stupid to try to compete in those areas.

What if the local government decided gas stations were too expensive, so they raise local taxes to open their own gas stations with a 50% discount? Any nearby private gas stations would be forced into debt in order to compete or to close that location.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5 to pnh102

Premium Member

to pnh102
said by pnh102:

Don't these clowns have a merger to rubber-stamp? Who are they to get involved in a state issue?

This is also about politics. Her father, Rep Clyburn is the House of Reps Assistant Minority leader. Big brother federal interference in state issues is bred in her genes.

And, of course, she parrots the lies about the NC bill that it prevents community fiber - it does no such thing.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Butt Out

Yeah, I hate it when Big Brother state government interferes in municipal matters. It is a blatant abuse of power. Where do they get off sticking their noses in local business.
Skippy25
join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO

Skippy25 to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
So it doesnt outright ban it, but it certainly prevents it by creating a bunch of red tape with the entire idea of preventing it 100%.

You know that and the people supporting it know that so stop trying to lie.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Butt Out

Reading comprehension fail. I was pointing out the absurdity of complaining about Big Brother Feds interfering with the State, which is itself being a Big Brother and interfering with the City.

I am for municipal BBD.
Skippy25
join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO

Skippy25

Member

Re: Butt Out

On your part I assume being that my message was a response to Uncle Sam.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to HappyAnarchy

Premium Member

to HappyAnarchy
said by HappyAnarchy :

I was pointing out the absurdity of complaining about Big Brother Feds interfering with the State, which is itself being a Big Brother and interfering with the City.

A quick history lesson. The states, by default, have all powers not reserved to the feds in the US Constitution. Cities have no independent powers not given to them explicitly by the state. So, by definition, states can not interfere in city powers(they have none) unless the state passed laws giving a city that power. Some states have passed home charter laws that have given cities limited powers outside state control. But those powers could always be revoked by the state.

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
TP-Link TD-8616
Asus RT-AC66U B1
Netgear FR114P

NormanS

MVM

Re: Butt Out

said by FFH5:

A quick history lesson. The states, by default, have all powers not reserved to the feds in the US Constitution.

Where do "The People" come into this picture? Amendment X to the U.S. Constitution reserves undelegated powers, "... to the States respectively, or to the people."

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

1 recommendation

Matt3 to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

said by pnh102:

Don't these clowns have a merger to rubber-stamp? Who are they to get involved in a state issue?

And, of course, she parrots the lies about the NC bill that it prevents community fiber - it does no such thing.

It doesn't prevent it outright, but it places absurd shackles on municipalities whose citizens choose to vote for such a service.

Here are a few parts of the bill dissected in plain English from DailyTech:
said by »www.dailytech.com/FCC+Co ··· 1293.htm :
Some provisions of the NC bill certainly seem valid -- for example that the projects need to be approved by local voters in a special election and that town hall meetings must be held before hand.

However, other provisions are baffling. For example, the services are banned from exercising the same pricing methodology as their corporate "competitors". In that regard, if anything the bill creates an unlevel playing field.

Further, even if voters approve of it, cities are disallowed from using much of their funds to finance the project. And there are restrictions on their ability to seek loans from the private sector. To make matters worse, they have to pay themselves a tax on the service, which they cannot reinvest into improving the service.

And then there's the issue of the state panel created by NC's pending legislation. That panel would be granted the power to override voters in a municipality and kill outright or otherwise stall to death broadband projects. At a time when telecoms are pouring thousands in campaign donations to state senators and representatives in an effort to preserve their monopolies/duopolies, this certainly seems like a dangerous allowance.
WhatNow
Premium Member
join:2009-05-06
Charlotte, NC

WhatNow

Premium Member

Re: Butt Out

1. The state voted the Republicans in and most of them are all for anything Big Business does.

2. Why should a city get all the benefits of being a city and compete with a business. If a city can do it why can't a outside private vendor come in and built a system if the incumbents will not provide the service unless the deck is stacked. If the city wants to build a system completely separate as if it was a private concern then more power to them. My take is the system should be at the county level so those just outside the city limits are not left out without much chance of ever getting service if they aren't annexed.

Is there not a private company building and has turned up a fiber system in Chattanooga,TN.

The city power in Wilson has some of the highest rates in the state. So a city system does not mean cheaper. If the system fails all taxpayers in town will have to pay off the bonds.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: Butt Out

said by WhatNow:

2. Why should a city get all the benefits of being a city and compete with a business. If a city can do it why can't a outside private vendor come in and built a system if the incumbents will not provide the service unless the deck is stacked. If the city wants to build a system completely separate as if it was a private concern then more power to them. My take is the system should be at the county level so those just outside the city limits are not left out without much chance of ever getting service if they aren't annexed.

Is there not a private company building and has turned up a fiber system in Chattanooga,TN.

The city power in Wilson has some of the highest rates in the state. So a city system does not mean cheaper. If the system fails all taxpayers in town will have to pay off the bonds.

Let's try this again. If the residents of a municipality votes for a project and it fails, they know they are stuck with the bill. If they don't want the project, they won't vote for it. That's not a valid argument.

As for Wilson, they also have some of the cheapest and fastest broadband in the state; not sure why you would choose to ignore that and instead choose their power rates.
Chuck_IV
join:2003-11-18
Connecticut

Chuck_IV to pnh102

Member

to pnh102
said by pnh102:

Don't these clowns have a merger to rubber-stamp? Who are they to get involved in a state issue?

WTH? It's about time somebody with some prominence stepped up to the plate and showed some backbone for the people of NC.

Good for her.

winsyrstrife
River City Bounce
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Brooklyn, NY

winsyrstrife

Premium Member

Oops

Time Warner: "!(%&#($...we forgot to cut Clyburn a check!"
sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR

sparks

Member

Re: Oops

well if she says this its just a way of saying HEY you forgot me on the last bribe list. I WANT SOME TOO

winsyrstrife beat me to it LOL

CableConvert
Premium Member
join:2003-12-05
Atlanta, GA

CableConvert

Premium Member

She Should be FCC Chairman

She has some backbone unlike the current FCC Chairman. I still think her name is funny, but she has turned out to be one of the few bright spots at the FCC. I remember when she was appointed everyone said she would do the industries bidding...not!

MEMEMEMEME
@cwru.edu

MEMEMEMEME

Anon

Re: She Should be FCC Chairman

and what do you think she'll do as FCC Chairwoman? She wouldn't have any control of this issue any differently. The FCC does NOT make law; they make rules that are very very illegal in most cases and are often sued over it. Should we see how many times the cable industry hasn't sued them and won?

Look at Comcast and the FCC. they sue ALL the time especially with the illegal ruling of capping their customer base percentage, the illegal net Neutral rules, and much much more will go on!

Oh BTW; the rule the FCC passed about Sat Dishes allowed in apartment and condos on rented space/land; that's illegal. You can't tell a land-owner what they must and must now provide for TV. Also in regards to signing long term contracts with TV/Telco providers to service those same areas; those contracts are LEGAL and the FCC has no power to say otherwise. Sorry; FCC going down ill.

sk1939
Premium Member
join:2010-10-23
Frederick, MD
ARRIS SB8200
Ubiquiti UDM-Pro
Juniper SRX320

1 edit

sk1939

Premium Member

Re: She Should be FCC Chairman

As a student of Case Western I'm surprised at your narrow, business- centric focus, but then again I shouldn't be.

The FCC is a regulating body, pure and simple. To argue otherwise would be like saying the ATF can't tell the gun companies they can't produce full-auto M16's for the general population. It just doesn't work like that, nor should it.

Comcast was sued because of their false advertising of an unlimited service when it had limits. There is a reason AT&T has no such trouble since they now advertise that it is capped. The states have a certain amount of power, but they are overruled by the Federal Government on ANY issue, which is why even though California allows pot, you can still be arrested and/or busted by the DEA for possession because, guess what, it's still illegal.

Duopolies like monopolies are inherently illegal due to Anti-Trust laws, yet they still go on. If you want to go into legality, I suggest you study ACTUAL law some more. It's the state's right to vote on legislation, but matters within a town are matters that don't involve the state. The only time the state gets involved in local matters is when something is either A) illegal or B) needs to be fixed. Muni fiber and such programs fall under neither of these categories.

CableConvert
Premium Member
join:2003-12-05
Atlanta, GA

CableConvert

Premium Member

They only paid Avilla $500

Not only is Marilyn Avilla (R-Time Warner) a crooked TWC shill...she's a cheap one too!
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60

Member

An FCC member..

who isn't owned by the entertainment industry? Sounds strange; I thought the FCC was totally owned by the industry. It's kind of moot what the FCC thinks; Congress can tell the FCC to approve or reject any proposal. The North Carolina legislature seems to be just as much in the pocket of the entertainment industry as the U.S. Congress.

Big loser is consumers - way higher prices. Big winner: Business (more money) and legislatures (more "campaign contributions", aka bribes).