Re:Ohio GOP ends attempt to ban municipal broadband after pr...
by bduerst on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @04:35PM
(#27681380)
> Municipal broadband is a government handout. It artificially lowers prices.
- This is a feature of muni broadband and other natural monopolies, like water, electricity, transportation, where economies-of-scale cost savings stimulate economic growth.
> Municipal broadband expands the role of government. It's an extra program for the municipality to manage.
- The State government stepping in to interfere with city government by blocking muni broadband is an expansion of the role of government.
> Expanding government programs is a tax on residents, even if they don't benefit from broadband access.
- The same argument has been made against public roads, not everyone uses them directly but indirectly they still benefit regardless.
> Municipal broadband is hostile to business. Companies cannot reasonably compete with a service that the government pumps money into.
- Natural monopolies are hostile to business. The natural barrier to entry prevents competition and innovation, hence why the government needs to pump money into it.
- This is a feature of muni broadband and other natural monopolies, like water, electricity, transportation, where economies-of-scale cost savings stimulate economic growth.
> Municipal broadband expands the role of government. It's an extra program for the municipality to manage.
- The State government stepping in to interfere with city government by blocking muni broadband is an expansion of the role of government.
> Expanding government programs is a tax on residents, even if they don't benefit from broadband access.
- The same argument has been made against public roads, not everyone uses them directly but indirectly they still benefit regardless.
> Municipal broadband is hostile to business. Companies cannot reasonably compete with a service that the government pumps money into.
- Natural monopolies are hostile to business. The natural barrier to entry prevents competition and innovation, hence why the government needs to pump money into it.