Georgia Community Broadband in Legislative Crosshairs

The fight to retain local government authority over building community broadband networks in Georgia has officially begun.

The Broadband Investment Equity Act (SB 313) was introduced in the Georgia Senate on Jan. 19. If it becomes law, the bill would enact numerous barriers to providing government-owned broadband services, including the requirements that private providers be solicited first before establishing a community broadband network and that a special election must be held for citizens to approve the project. According to a statement released by the Georgia Senate Press Office, the goal of SB 313 is to encourage private investment and level the playing field by making government entities adhere to the same rules that private companies follow when establishing communication networks.