NC Broadband Exemption would protect Fibrant

By two votes, a committee of state lawmakers exempted Salisbury (NC) from a proposed law that would restrict city-owned broadband networks like Fibrant.

But an error in the way the amendment was written may force NC Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan) to reintroduce the measure March 23, when the Finance Committee resumes debate on the bill. “We will try to get that passed next week,” Rep Warren said. But he added it’s not yet clear if the committee must vote again on the measure, which would exempt Salisbury and four other cities with existing broadband networks from House Bill 129. The amendment passed 15 to 13.