Will Obama’s Support of Broadband Competition Matter?

Most experts believe that even if President Barack Obama's statement doesn’t lead to extensive federal involvement on the matter of municipal broadband, it’ll raise awareness about the value of local government-owned networks.

Christopher Mitchell, director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and a national expert on community broadband, called President Obama’s speech “tremendously positive” for bringing muni-broadband issues to the forefront. But he admitted concern over how it may impact the political landscape. While the Federal Communications Commission has yet to announce whether it will take up the petition, President Obama’s statement on broadband could have an impact on what the FCC will do. Madison (WI) Mayor Paul Soglin noted that the FCC is split on some of the broadband and Internet topics, but felt President Obama’s message could be a critical tipping point.