According to this piece from CivSource, US cities have fallen considerably behind other developed world cities when it comes to broadband accessibility. The influence of private sector "incumbents" is to blame, writes the author.
To demonstrate how far behind the US is on this issue, Bailey McCann of CivSource cites the fact that the United Nations recently proclaimed access to broadband a basic human right.
Meanwhile, the author laments, some US states have ruled that municipalities "have an unfair advantage" over private sector companies when providing access to broadband networks. McCann blames the influence of private sector "incumbents" on local and state legislative bodies for stunting the growth of broadband in the US. Currently, just over 50 US cities have their own fiber networks.
Read the full story: Making broadband a right – a lesson for the states?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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