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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 [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Can't believe someone living in US got stuck with DSL while my parents who live in a village in Sumatra actually got fiber optic service. Your area got a worse deal than a village in a third world country. Why aren't you guys revolting?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Vast swathes of the USA have either DSL or cellular as their only options. It's a big country.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

So is Indonesia, 3,181mi x 1,094mi (vs US continental 2,802mi x 1,650mi), and split into multiple large landmass too, which requires extensive sea cable network. Yet they managed to build extensive fiber optics coverage in the past 10 years.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I know, it’s pathetic. AT&T holding a steady $40-45/mo while Comcast increases every year.