monopoly

Content tagged with "monopoly"

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‘Innovation’ Think Tank Pushes Lazy Smear Of Community Broadband

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Here at ILSR we’re no stranger to telecom monopoly-backed efforts to mislead the public about the significant benefits of community owned broadband access.

That’s why a new “study” by the industry-backed Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) maligning municipal broadband doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

The study professes to take a look at a very small number of municipal broadband networks, then makes sweeping and patently false claims about the entire sector.

“In most cases, local governments have neither the competence nor the economies of scale to deliver broadband as well as private ISPs,” the study concludes. “So, favoring government-owned networks wastes societal resources, creates unfair competition, and is frequently unsustainable in the long run.”

Community Nets map

There’s numerous problems here. One being that the survey only looked at 20 municipal broadband networks in a country where more than 450 community broadband networks – serving close to 800 different communities – now pepper the American landscape.

The study author acknowledges the study’s sample size was “too small for the data to represent all U.S. [government-owned broadband networks] reliably,” then proceeds to make broad sweeping assumptions unsupported by any actual evidence.

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‘Innovation’ Think Tank Pushes Lazy Smear Of Community Broadband

No BS logo
By on

Here at ILSR we’re no stranger to telecom monopoly-backed efforts to mislead the public about the significant benefits of community owned broadband access.

That’s why a new “study” by the industry-backed Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) maligning municipal broadband doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

The study professes to take a look at a very small number of municipal broadband networks, then makes sweeping and patently false claims about the entire sector.

“In most cases, local governments have neither the competence nor the economies of scale to deliver broadband as well as private ISPs,” the study concludes. “So, favoring government-owned networks wastes societal resources, creates unfair competition, and is frequently unsustainable in the long run.”

Community Nets map

There’s numerous problems here. One being that the survey only looked at 20 municipal broadband networks in a country where more than 450 community broadband networks – serving close to 800 different communities – now pepper the American landscape.

The study author acknowledges the study’s sample size was “too small for the data to represent all U.S. [government-owned broadband networks] reliably,” then proceeds to make broad sweeping assumptions unsupported by any actual evidence.

Read More

Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

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In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

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Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

By

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Read More

Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

By

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Read More

Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

By

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Read More

Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

By

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Read More

Unpacking the History of Telecommunications Policy with Gene Kimmelman - Episode 626 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

By

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Read More

Survey Shows Rising Broadband Costs, Broad Support For Government Help

Price Increase sign
By on

A recent U.S. News And World Report survey of U.S. broadband subscribers shows that Americans are increasingly paying more money for broadband access.

The survey also indicates broad public support for the recently defunded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and other government-backed efforts to cap soaring broadband subscription costs.

The organization surveyed 2,500 adults from the country’s five most populous states; 500 broadband subscribers each in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Not too surprisingly, the survey found that consumers consistently are paying more for broadband than the advertised price, either thanks to steady rate hikes, or the broad use of often sneaky, hidden fees to jack up the advertised cost of service.

Monopoly Book and Money Stack

Most Americans remain trapped under a monopoly or duopoly for next-generation broadband (broadband defined as faster than 100/20 megabits per second, or Mbps) access. This lack of competition results in high prices, slow speeds, spotty access, substandard customer service, and an increased occurrence of net neutrality, privacy, or other anti-consumer violations.

The survey found the average U.S. subscriber bill at sign up is now $81 – up from the $77 average monthly price seen in the outlet’s April 2024 survey report. But the average broadband subscription cost when the bill actually arrives was now $98 per month; up from $89 just six months earlier. For most, $100 broadband access is right around the corner.

Read More

Survey Shows Rising Broadband Costs, Broad Support For Government Help

Price Increase sign
By on

A recent U.S. News And World Report survey of U.S. broadband subscribers shows that Americans are increasingly paying more money for broadband access.

The survey also indicates broad public support for the recently defunded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and other government-backed efforts to cap soaring broadband subscription costs.

The organization surveyed 2,500 adults from the country’s five most populous states; 500 broadband subscribers each in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Not too surprisingly, the survey found that consumers consistently are paying more for broadband than the advertised price, either thanks to steady rate hikes, or the broad use of often sneaky, hidden fees to jack up the advertised cost of service.

Monopoly Book and Money Stack

Most Americans remain trapped under a monopoly or duopoly for next-generation broadband (broadband defined as faster than 100/20 megabits per second, or Mbps) access. This lack of competition results in high prices, slow speeds, spotty access, substandard customer service, and an increased occurrence of net neutrality, privacy, or other anti-consumer violations.

The survey found the average U.S. subscriber bill at sign up is now $81 – up from the $77 average monthly price seen in the outlet’s April 2024 survey report. But the average broadband subscription cost when the bill actually arrives was now $98 per month; up from $89 just six months earlier. For most, $100 broadband access is right around the corner.

Read More
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