dslreports logo
 story category
Missouri Latest To Let AT&T, CenturyLink Write State Telecom Law

As noted earlier, the White House this week moved to take aim at protectionist state-level broadband laws written by incumbent ISPs that hinder towns and cities from improving their own broadband fortunes -- even in cases where nobody else will. Nineteen such laws are on the books, and AT&T, CenturyLink and friends this week have been busy working on a new Missouri law that will layer on new restrictions for towns and cities looking to improve their local infrastructure:

quote:
Republican State Representative Rocky Miller began the new legislative session with a bill designed to yank authority from local communities that need better connectivity. Even though the state already preempts local authority to sell telecommunications services, there is a current exemption for "Internet-type services." HB 437 removes that exemption and would make it all but impossible for a local community to ensure they had access to the same types of services now available in Kansas City.
HB 437 (pdf) states that communities can't build their own networks if those communities are already served, but like most such bills the definition of "served" is kept broad enough to include cellular and satellite services -- so they wind up being a blanket ban. In short, companies like CenturyLink will often refuse to upgrade your neighborhood, but they want to reserve the right to prohibit you or anyone else from doing it either.

As with most such efforts, these towns wouldn't be entering the broadband business if they were happy with the services they're currently receiving. ISPs and other opponents of municipal broadband argue they're worried about "states rights," yet apparently have no problem with letting a giant company write state telecommunications laws that frequently trample local rights.

Most recommended from 88 comments


Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

3 recommendations

Kearnstd

Premium Member

These laws would make sense...

if they had a clause to them, The law only applies to communities that can get 100mbit service to 100% of homes by two or more wireline carriers.
shmerl
join:2013-10-21

2 recommendations

shmerl

Member

Can local public oppose this to stop it from being passed?

Why are such stupid laws pushed on their behalf?