North Carolina cities mobilize against anti-muni broadband bill

At least six cities in North Carolina have passed resolutions against cable-backed state legislation that would hamstring new municipal broadband projects. The dissenters include Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Raleigh, Momeyer, Asheville, Rockingham, and Bladenville. All oppose House of Representatives Bill H129 and its equivalent in the Senate, Bill 87. The proposed laws, both titled "Level Playing Field/Local Government Competition" bills, would bar new municipal ISPs from selling broadband to consumers in neighboring cities or pricing their services too low. The legislation has passed in the House.