FCC Is Trying to Stop Discrimination in Broadband Deployment. Telecoms Are Mad

Re:FCC Is Trying to Stop Discrimination in Broadband Deploym... by NovemberWhiskey on Friday November 17, 2023 @11:48AM (#38306090)

Red-lining is based on the inherently-racist premise that Black people moving into an area were likely to result in decrease of property value.

What we're talking about here is much simpler, basic economic stuff like "poor people can't afford expensive stuff" which doesn't demand any racial assumptions.

EDIT: I don't usually ask about down-votes, but for the people who are down-voting this comment, please explain why I'm wrong. The whole basis of the discussion here is that the 'disparate impact' standard is being used to criticize business decisions that are not based on racial inputs.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:FCC Is Trying to Stop Discrimination in Broadband Deploym... by llbeansandrice on Friday November 17, 2023 @12:35PM (#38306918)

The difference is that modern broadband internet is more akin so a necessary utility like water or electricity than it is to luxury goods. Further that telecomms have received billions in subsidies to build out infrastructure to these communities and have lobbied against municipal competition.

If you put yourself in position of gatekeeper of an essential service then it's reasonable to put a burden on you to do due diligence to make sure that service is equally accessible.

Not to mention record profits, so it's not like these giants are hanging on by the skin of their teeth.

[ Parent | on HN ]