Telco owners say governments should not get into the wireless networking game
The owners of a small telecommunications company based in Upstate New York editorialize that government should not get into the business of being broadband wireless provider or as a partner with a single dominant carrier. In their opinion, local and state governments should take steps to insure that providers have access to infrastructure (light poles, land, etc.) so that these companies can install their equipment and create opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors to login to a wireless network. In addition, they rightly point out that WiFi is just the first step–WiMax will eventually provide much broader coverage within the next two years, especially in more rural areas.
In theory, they are on the right track. Local and state governments should not become wireless network providers, but they should practice oversight to make sure that companies in the business are delivering on their promises, particularly because they are leveraging locally-owned structures to provide wireless service. In other words, governments just can’t allow companies to just swoop in and take up valuable local resources without any checks and balances.
[Via Rochester Democrat and Chronicle]
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