Municipal broadband has been a success for those communities that have begun offering service. It is no surprise. Historically, local government has always corrected market failure by providing essential services. The driving force for efficiency in these networks is not profit maximization, but public service. The money saved through cost reductions stays in the community. Public networks have increased broadband competition, not reduced it, and they have resulted in lower prices. The propaganda maligning municipal systems is nothing more than industry-sponsored folklore.
MAG-Net Digital Dialogue on Community Broadband and Local Economies
In October, Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net), hosted the panel discussion Community Broadband as a Path to Thriving Local Economies and Neighborhood Development as part of their Digital Dialogue series. As you may remember, our Christopher Mitchell was scheduled to participate. While Chris very much was looking forward to the opportinty to present, Delta Airlines had other plans for him.
Even though Chris was detained and not able to participate, the conversation was informative and worthwhile. If you missed it, you can now listen to it from the MAG-Net website. The conversation is just about an hour long and includes as speakers:
- Fabiola Carrion, Progressive States Network
- Danielle Chynoweth, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
- Diana Nucera, Allied Media Projects
- Edyael Casaperalta, Center for Rural Strategies
