Debunking Myths about Government-Run Broadband

[Commentary] Last week, as we discovered quite a few of the 2,200 NOFA applications were from local governments and public utilities, forces from the dark side started belittling these proposals. We're well past the time for the feds to embrace and encourage seriously the role of local government and their constituents in not only the stimulus process, but also in the national broadband strategy itself. We've let the lie that governments can't run effective networks fester and poison the broadband discussion. It's time for an antidote. Myth 1. Government shouldn't be in the business of running broadband networks. Myth 2. Government isn't capable of running an effective and/or profitable network. Myth 3. Incumbents need protection from unfair competition because local governments have tax and tax levying advantages.