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America’s established cable and telephone companies are pulling out every stop to impede the Obama Administration’s broadband stimulus program.
Comcast alone, the nation’s largest cable company, has filed thousands of objections to proposed broadband projects in communities large and small, claiming those projects have the potential of introducing competition in their service areas, whether or not actual broadband service is being provided to residents in those communities.
Most large providers like Time Warner Cable, Comcast, and many national phone companies have steered clear of applying for broadband stimulus money. They don’t like requirements that could force them to adhere to Net Neutrality provisions, sharing equal access to their networks. But they don’t want anyone else on their turf getting funding either, and they’re spending enormous amounts of time and money objecting to anything and everything that seeks funding in their respective service areas.
It’s nothing short of a Broadband Blockade, and it is dramatically slowing the government’s ability to pour over thousands of applications.
Settles
Dan Hays, from consulting firm PRTM, told USA Today as a result of the delays, there’s significant doubt as to whether the monies can be awarded before the end of September when the funding authorization expires.
Could that be part of the plan all along?
“They aren’t leading, they aren’t following, and they won’t get out of the way,” said Craig Settles, a municipal broadband expert. “They’re not going to put proposals on the table because they don’t like the rules. Yet they’re not going to cooperate with the entities that are going after the money.”
“There are 11,000 public comments (about the funding applications), and I’m willing to bet that 9,000, at least, were a challenge or protest of one sort or another,” says Settles.
“We’re at a point where it’s the general public’s interest vs. the entrenched incumbents,” Settles added.
When giant telecommunications providers are threatened, they run to lawmakers for special protection, and they’re getting it.
National Public Radio ran this report about the problems awarding broadband stimulus grants. (5 minutes)
You must remain on this page to hear the clip, or you can download the clip and listen later.
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As much as I like broadband competition on speed and price, Comcast will have 12/2 standard-tier broadband in all of their footprint by the end of the year, 20/4 at a reasonable price and 100/15 to those who can afford it. Folks who can’t get 12/2 under any circumstances should get funds before those who can.