Fwd: [GKD] Small Towns Build Their Own High-Speed Internet Systems

[tom poe]

Hi:  Know anyone in one of these "progressive" towns?  They might want to 
check out our model, and go for it.
Thanks,
Tom Poe
Reno, NV
http://www.studioforrecording.org/
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
http://renotahoe.pm.org/

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------
Subject: [GKD] Small Towns Build Their Own High-Speed Internet Systems
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 11:58:58 -0700
From: "Alan Levy" <refconstandard at yahoo.com>
To: gkd at phoenix.edc.org


Colleagues,

Q. What does the story below say about the digital divide?
A. It shows incumbents trying to monopolize.

Q. What does it say about government?
A. They purposely restrict ICT deployment and artificially raise
costs.

It's a shame Mr. Link Hoewing of Verizon considers competition a
disincentive!

Enjoy.

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SMALL TOWNS BUILD THEIR OWN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SYSTEMS

As politicians in Washington debate over the digital divide, many small
towns are building their own bypasses to the information superhighway.
"Some of these towns were too small to get the attention of the large
incumbent providers -- the rate of return isn't there for them," said
Ron Lunt, director of telecommunications services for the American
Public Power Association. According to one government study, less than
five percent of towns with fewer than 10,000 residents have both DSL and
cable modem service available. Small towns are building their own
systems, often providing high quality service at prices cheaper than
commercial providers. Many towns are finding benefits beyond speedy
Internet access. "It's a consumer-owned system - it helps support our
parks, our pools, our police," says Keith Hill, borough manager for
Kutztown, Pennsylvania. "The money stays in the community."

Link Hoewing, assistant vice president for Internet and technology
policy for Verizon, said that towns building their own "last mile"
systems are doing a great disservice. Hoewing argues that the patchwork
of local systems creates a disincentive for major providers to invest
and build integrated networks. Eleven states currently bar or restrict
municipalities from offering high-speed Internet service, but according
to energy and telecommunications consultant Carol Heiberger, "...the
cities and towns are saying, 'You're not doing anything for me now. This
is about economic development.'"

------------------
Alan Levy
Mexico, D.F.
refconstandard at yahoo.com

=====
Iustum et tenacem propositi virum
si fractus inlabatur orbis
impavidum ferient ruinae



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