Broadband Is Important For Economic Development, But It's Not The Only Thing
from the build-it-and-they-will-come? dept
While we're seeing yet another battle over muni-fiber deployments, it's worth checking in on the question of whether or not these programs work. We've certainly seen in the past how such muni-fiber deployments can significantly aid in economic growth, but it's not a panacea. Muni-wireless connections have been a disaster, but that's mainly because cities bet on the absolute wrong technology (WiFi) which isn't designed for wide-area deployments. However, when it comes to fiber deployments, the results have tended to be much better, increasing opportunities and often recruiting new employers that have increased jobs. However, as Broadband Reports points out, muni-fiber alone is not enough. The Washington Post compares two cities that installed muni-fiber and had very different results. In one, the jobs came, but it also involved setting up other efforts to lure companies to move offices to their city. As one commenter noted, it worked where city planners "took a holistic view of its workforce with support programs, and they see it as a long process." So, yes, muni-fiber projects can work and contribute to economic development, but it's a lot more than a "build and they will come" sort of project.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: broadband, economic development, muni fiber
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Lack of local competition.
It could also attract more residents. It could be used to build target communities, expand services in libraries, job agencies, community centers, churches, and support youth organizations. There are a lot of potential benefits for muni-fiber deployments. If nothing else the competition would require the big broadband companies to spend more money in the community to promote services and "better" offers.
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Re: Lack of local competition.
Warren Buffet once described one of his great financial mistakes as not purchasing a cable company. Apparently once the infrastructure is built, your job is basically to cash check. How does TWC screw it up?
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Re: Re: Lack of local competition.
Now i know that does not include things such as customer support and such but that shows that they have the sitting back and cashing checks part down correctly because they sure as hell are not putting it back into investing in the network.
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Required by town/HOA?
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