Baller, Jim (2005). Deceptive Myths About Municipal Ownership:
Disinformation about public ownership is impeding progress. Broadband
Properties Magazine. May 2005.
http://www.baller.com/pdfs/Baller_BroadbandProperties_May05.pdf
This short article assesses arguments against municipal ownership of
broadband networks, and refutes them. These arguments include:
-Myth 1: Municipalities want to compete with the private sector.
-Myth 2: Municipalities, as regulators, favor their own service
entities over private companies that they regulate.
-Myth 3: Municipalities have access to cheap financing. -Myth 4:
Municipalities do not have to pay taxes.
-Myth 5: Municipalities use public funds to cross-subsidize
communications services.
-Myth 6: Municipal communications projects are likely to fail.
-Myth 7: Municipalities drive investment capital out of the market.
-Myth 8: Municipal communications projects raise First Amendment
concerns.
-Myth 9: Municipalities have unfair access to poles, ducts, conduits,
rights of way, and other public facilities. -Myth 10: Municipalities
should not invest in risky projects when the private sector is ready,
willing, and able to serve the community’s needs.
The author, Jim Baller, is a leading attorney on broadband issues in
the United States (http://www.baller.com/).