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Comcast, Centurylink Fail To Derail Community-Owned Gigabit Fiber Network In Bountiful, Utah (www.techdirt.com)

submitted 1 year ago by trashhalo@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org

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The city of Bountiful, Utah voted to build a $48 million fiber network to provide affordable gigabit broadband for its residents and businesses. Regional internet providers Comcast and CenturyLink opposed the plan and tried to force a public vote through a taxpayer group they fund. However, communities often build their own networks because existing options are inadequate. Data shows that community-owned networks provide better, faster, cheaper service than monopolies. While big internet providers claim community networks are a boondoggle, they are just another business plan that often succeeds due to quality proposals and local accountability. Comcast and CenturyLink did not want to provide the high-speed internet Bountiful needed, but also tried to block the city from doing so itself.

You love to see it. Do you have community Internet available where you live?

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[–] ProfessorPeregrine@reddthat.com 7 points 1 year ago

Shrug maybe they could. They have yet to prove it in the real world in the US, as you mentioned.

I like that my ISP has no profit motive and is driven solely by customer/taxpayer satisfaction.

I wouldn't like it if it became a political football, but so far so good. I think its safe for now because it is the same network used by the fire and police departments. Comcast really tried to kill it off.