N.C. Cities Oppose Broadband Bill

Cities across North Carolina have voiced opposition to a bill being considered in the North Carolina State Legislature to limit their ability to provide Broadband Internet access to residents. The Independent Weekly of Durham reports on how the bill, backed by the telecommunications industry, will limit municipal autonomy in providing internet service.

House Bill 1587, "The Local Government Fair Competition Act," is supported by the telecommunications and cable industries, which say cities have unfair advantages—they don't pay taxes and can subsidize a money-losing Internet business with revenue from the city budget. The bill sets out a long list of strict financial and political requirements should a government get into the broadband business.

One of the most pressing concerns regarding this bill is its effect on rural communities, where private industry and initiative are lacking.

"Private sector's not going to build out into rural communities or poor neighborhoods because there's no money in it for them. Municipalities serve those folks, and we can serve them better than private industry can because we can be sure that they've got fiber to the home." He [Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunburg] urged the legislators to consider the need for economic development.

"Technology's moving so fast, some of my cities and counties say that as far as they're concerned, broadband service is almost like electricity, water and natural gas in terms of how essential it would be for citizens to have it and how much of a deprivation it would be not to, just because private industry won't do it," she says. She'd like to find some balance between the concerns of the industry and needs of local communities. As it stands, Rep. Angela Bryant (D-Halifax, Nash) says, the bill "is putting us too much at the mercy of the private businesses."

By limiting the ability of municipalities to provide Broadband Internet service, this bill effectively limits competition, especially in rural areas. The issue of Internet access is new and its importance is often underreported. As the telecommunications industry lobbies state governments to enact similar bills across the county, those of us in the South must be cognizant of the effect such policies will have on our rural and impoverished communities. Every day, Internet access becomes more necessary to participate in the global economy. If the South hopes to become integrated into the global network, people must recognize now the importance of infrastructure for the future.