No More Taxpayer-Funded Municipal Networks, Says Group

The Institute for Policy Innovation suggests that federal policymakers reject any plans to expand municipal broadband networks. Although the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture will help invest billions into deploying broadband to unserved and underserved areas, IPI contends that municipal broadband has been plagued by failure nearly every time it has been attempted, and at great cost to taxpayers. When municipal broadband networks fail, it is the taxpayers who must pay for the loss, says IPI. And municipal broadband systems have been expensive government failures in cities including, but not limited to, Philadelphia, Chicago, Portland and Orlando. IPI was founded by former Rep Dick Armey.