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Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?

Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?

Borstalboy Profile Photo
Borstalboy
#1Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?
Posted: 7/18/14 at 11:25am


Interesting article about how Chattanooga's public utilities are providing faster, cheaper internet


"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

HorseTears Profile Photo
HorseTears
#2Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?
Posted: 7/18/14 at 5:34pm

Yup. While I know this wouldn't work in all municipalities, it is a great solution for some. It's shocking how far behind the rest of the developed world we are in terms of internet speed - largely due to the cable companies. We're currently 29th in the world. Behind countries like Moldova and Romania.

Fresh Air had a really interesting interview with author Susan Crawford on this very topic. She explained why falling behind in broadband speed and access can actually have a hugely negative impact on innovation and on the economy in the long run. It goes beyond YouTube videos buffering. She also talked about local government solutions like the system in Tenn.
NPR FRESH AIR: When It Comes To High-Speed Internet, U.S. 'Falling Way Behind'

javero Profile Photo
javero
#2Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?
Posted: 7/19/14 at 1:22pm

A few other municipalities have taken the same tack only to have their state legislators race to enact laws barring subsequent attempts by their neighbors. Those state lawmakers were bought and paid for by the local exchange carriers (and/or local cable monopoly) via lobbyists of course. Thanks to a wireless 4G hotspot and highspeed ADSL at home I was able to send one half of the last mile axis of evil packing. Most consumers in the US still can't escape the cable company/local exchange carrier duopoly where broadband access is concerned and that sucks.

Wireless broadband transmission rates are improving just not quickly or cheaply enough. What annoys me though is that most of leading US wireless service providers are the self-same telcos who are in a position to throttle the friggin' bandwidth the moment a consumer exceeds some preordained usage quota. I literally eyeball the meter on my mobile hotspot device to ensure that I say under the 10 GB monthly ration.






#FactsMatter...your feelings not so much.
Updated On: 7/19/14 at 01:22 PM

javero Profile Photo
javero
#2Could Tennessee--of all the damn places--save the Internet?
Posted: 7/19/14 at 1:22pm

double post...my bad


#FactsMatter...your feelings not so much.
Updated On: 7/19/14 at 01:22 PM