AT&T intervenes in city’s plan to offer fiber Internet to all residents

Quote:Chanute, Kansas, a city of 9,000 residents, needs state permission to issue bonds needed to finance the expansion of its fiber network, which was built to support utility operations and now also serves government facilities, a college, a library, a hospital, and a few business partners. Chanute requested approval to issue the bonds on October 21, saying the expansion would let it offer “Gigabit connectivity to potentially all of Chanute's utility customers.” Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, the AT&T subsidiary, promptly asked the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) for permission to “intervene” in the proceeding, saying the company’s “interests and those of its customers may be affected” by the plan.

....

According to The Wichita Eagle, “the service the city is planning has a download speed of 1Gbps and is projected to cost $40 a month for city residents. That’s 14 times faster and 60 percent cheaper than the fastest Internet service that Chanute residents can get now. The speed would be as fast as the Google Fiber network being deployed in the Kansas City metropolitan area—and 42 percent cheaper for the customers.” Chanute said it would provide voice and video itself or contract with third-party providers.

So ... Chanute residents would get GIGABIT (1,000 MEGABIT) SERVICE for $5 less a month than the TEASER SIX-MONTH CONTRACT RATE for 6 megabit DSL from AT&T. And after that six month window, time to bend over.



So would AT&T and cable companies rather compete and offer a better service than some local government, since this is an alleged "free market" for internet service providers right? Ehhhhhhhhhh......... NO.

Quote:Private telecommunications companies have pushed state legislatures to pass laws banning or restricting municipal broadband projects and have won such limits in 20 states. That number doesn’t include the Kansas law, but in January a cable lobbyist group introduced legislation that would have made it almost impossible for cities and towns in Kansas to offer broadband to residents. The bill was killed after widespread protests, including opposition from Chanute.

http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/12/...band-plan/

Crony capitalism makes me ill.

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

liberals embrace crony capitalism

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

(12-09-2014 02:54 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

liberals embrace crony capitalism

If you say so that must make it true

Then how come the Republicans are the ones who are always trying to protect these major companies when people get sick of this kinda cr@p and try to get rid of it?

Was it a liberal who compared NN to Obamacare or was that Ted Cruz???

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

Is nowhere near as bad really any less evil?

(12-09-2014 03:02 PM)BucFyre Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

Is nowhere near as bad really any less evil?

Only to a liberal...

*opens can of worms*

Black on black crime is nowhere near as bad as white on black crime.

GTS I can why ISP/Fiber companies would want some laws or assurance, that if they come into a city/market area and
drop millions/billions, that government will not float bonds and undercut them. Sure there will times when small towns might need a boost or the ability to do this.

(12-09-2014 03:02 PM)BucFyre Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

Is nowhere near as bad really any less evil?

Is it the lesser of two evils?

Quote:So would AT&T and cable companies rather compete and offer a better service than some local government, since this is an alleged "free market" for internet service providers right? Ehhhhhhhhhh......... NO.

You don't compete in the free market with a government sponsored entity.

A governmental agency can issue bonds at rates much lower than corporations (even AAA rated companies). There is an inherent tax advantage to municipal bonds. Bottom line, its not a level playing field and thus not a free market.

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

(12-09-2014 03:10 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

LOL it's pretty evident with GOP stances on less regulation, tax cuts for the rich, pro gun industry, & anti environmental regulations being the core of their party ideology.

There are some republican stances that I can actually agree with such as 2nd amendment & keeping gas prices down by helping big oil. But the positions the GOP takes on those two stances go well beyond "doing whats best for americans" and focuses on "what does what is best for oil & gun corporations"

(12-09-2014 03:14 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:10 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

LOL it's pretty evident with GOP stances on less regulation, tax cuts for the rich, pro gun industry, & anti environmental regulations being the core of their party ideology.

There are some republican stances that I can actually agree with such as 2nd amendment & keeping gas prices down by helping big oil. But the positions the GOP takes on those two stances go well beyond "doing whats best for americans" and focuses on "what does what is best for oil & gun corporations"

Again with no examples. Just vagaries. And no analysis of Dems.

Typical millennial, no ability to research, no ability to think.

(12-09-2014 03:48 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:14 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:10 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

LOL it's pretty evident with GOP stances on less regulation, tax cuts for the rich, pro gun industry, & anti environmental regulations being the core of their party ideology.

There are some republican stances that I can actually agree with such as 2nd amendment & keeping gas prices down by helping big oil. But the positions the GOP takes on those two stances go well beyond "doing whats best for americans" and focuses on "what does what is best for oil & gun corporations"

Again with no examples. Just vagaries. And no analysis of Dems.

Typical millennial, no ability to research, no ability to think.

lol, you always resort to that joke talking point. besides the obvious issue of your generalizing an entire generation as one single group, then making a stereotype about said group....

This forum is clearly above you intelligence level if you need research or examples to verify that the GOP is pro gun, pro tax cuts for the rich, etc.

That's not an insult, thats just reality because that's ELI5 level stuff about US politics.

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:49 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Crony capitalism makes me ill.

Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP establishment is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems establishment are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I definitely agree with the bold. Added the red to agree with the 2nd part.

(12-09-2014 03:14 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:10 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:55 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 02:52 PM)john01992 Wrote:  Is that your inner liberalism coming out?

Being against crony capitalism should be bipartisan. But that requires a healthy skepticism if your own stupid little political team, which most people don't have.

The GOP is in bed with the military industrial complex. The Dems are in bed with big labor and big healthcare. They're both in bed with big banks.

I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

LOL it's pretty evident with GOP stances on less regulation, tax cuts for the rich, pro gun industry, & anti environmental regulations being the core of their party ideology.

There are some republican stances that I can actually agree with such as 2nd amendment & keeping gas prices down by helping big oil. But the positions the GOP takes on those two stances go well beyond "doing whats best for americans" and focuses on "what does what is best for oil & gun corporations"

You are a fool if you don't think the Democrats in Washington aren't every bit as much in the pocket of the monied interests. Those large corporations learned long ago that to get what they want, they all they have to do is buy off both groups.

Those you follow just lie to you about what they really care about. It's one of the biggest whopper lies going, but too many that vote "D" are too ignorant to know better.

Damn it's obvious you are young.

(12-09-2014 03:56 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:48 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:14 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:10 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 03:00 PM)john01992 Wrote:  I will admit that the dems are in bed with big corporate influences at times, but they are nowhere near as bad as the republicans when it comes to this stuff.

"If you say so." Notice you provide no evidence for your claims. Couple that with your previously demonstrated ignorance and it's pretty clear this is just you blabbering.

LOL it's pretty evident with GOP stances on less regulation, tax cuts for the rich, pro gun industry, & anti environmental regulations being the core of their party ideology.

There are some republican stances that I can actually agree with such as 2nd amendment & keeping gas prices down by helping big oil. But the positions the GOP takes on those two stances go well beyond "doing whats best for americans" and focuses on "what does what is best for oil & gun corporations"

Again with no examples. Just vagaries. And no analysis of Dems.

Typical millennial, no ability to research, no ability to think.

lol, you always resort to that joke talking point. besides the obvious issue of your generalizing an entire generation as one single group, then making a stereotype about said group....

This forum is clearly above you intelligence level if you need research or examples to verify that the GOP is pro gun, pro tax cuts for the rich, etc.

That's not an insult, thats just reality because that's ELI5 level stuff about US politics.

PRICELESS

(12-09-2014 03:56 PM)john01992 Wrote:  lol, you always resort to that joke talking point. besides the obvious issue of your generalizing an entire generation as one single group, then making a stereotype about said group....

joke? unlike you I actually provide support for my position.

Quote:This forum is clearly above you intelligence level if you need research or examples to verify that the GOP is pro gun, pro tax cuts for the rich, etc.

oic, we're all just supposed to accept your say so. curiously, that's exactly what I pointed out in that last post, and you bristled at.

But repeatedly you can't provide support for your position. your vaunted "education" is simply repeating what you heard from your (equally inept) teachers while doing your 8hr sit-ins each day.

Yes, I scoff at you and your inability to accomplish anything. But don't worry, that won't last forever. Eventually my son will do the same thing when he's your boss.