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US: States fight for right to compete with cable corporations

By  |  March 5, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission has vowed to examine some state laws that prevent states from building their own broadband networks as a way to compete with cable conglomerates, say reports.

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    In areas where there are no such preventative laws, say reports, like North Carolina, some cities have built their own networks to offer cheaper broadband prices; in the case of Wilson, North Carolina, the city voted unanimously in 2006 to take on the project, which ultimately forced Time Warner Cable and CentureLink to lower their costs and upgrade services.

    But following fierce lobbying, cable companies got North Carolina to pass legislation in 2011 that ends the state’s ability to repeat the project in other jurisdictions.

    Now, the FCC said it would examine those laws that currently exist in 20 states in the US. In a statement, FCC head Tom Wheeler called the laws an “obvious candidate” as the regulator seeks to boost competition in the telco industry.

    Full Content: Charlotte Observer

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