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SofC - Broadband From: Dave Shove Date: Mar 25 23:00 UTC Short link
My view is that so long as some rich person gets richer off private
broadband, St Paul and the public can go to hell. After all, we're not
rich, so we're nothing and deserve nothing. Rich people are everything and
deserve everything. Calvin's god hath said so, and our legislators too.
-David Shove
On Mon, 24 Mar 2008, Christopher Mitchell wrote: > I love living in St. Paul and I think we are doing as good or better > than our peers. > > However, one of the few things that could lure me away from the city is > access to fast, cheap broadband networks. St. Paul suffers from a > duopoly and shows no promise for faster networks from the private > sector. Both AT&T and Verizon are making the investments our incumbents > aren't. > > For a variety of reasons, I think St. Paul needs to make some smart > investments in this area. I think the first step should be for the city > to invest in a fiber network that will meet the needs (dare I say as > well, the desires) of the City, the Public Schools, the County (within > St. Paul) and the State (within St. Paul). > > These entities all have a great need for faster networks to do their > business and become more efficient. They will need them for decades - > paying others to build them and run them makes no economic sense. These > are systems the City can and should run to make sure all agencies have > the speeds they need without breaking their (our) budget. > > That should be the first step. Depending on how well that goes, the > City should consider expanding the network to offer affordable speeds to > everyone. In St. Paul, most folks have 2 choices for broadband, but 1 > in 3 only have cable as an option. Neither is particularly affordable > for people struggling to get by. These people need access to search for > jobs, educate themselves, and ensure their children have the best access > to educational resources. > > St. Paul can build a network to connect everyone and allow private > competitors to use it (by wholesaling access). Public investments in > infrastructure are good for business. This particular investment can > actually pay for itself over time - something roads don't do. > > However important they were in the past, fast networks are now essential > infrastructure. If St. Paul does not ensure it businesses and citizens > have access to fast networks at affordable prices, we will not be able > to compete with those who do. > > This isn't entirely about luring new businesses to St. Paul - it is > about ensuring those that are here can expand and continue to compete. > > Christopher Mitchell > wondering why my draft N wireless card is arguing with my G router after > 1.5 years of harmonious fraternity - at least my cat5 is getting some > love. > > > Christopher Mitchell > Merriam Park, Saint Paul > Info about Christopher Mitchell: http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/christophermitchell > > This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4cgZg4QGK80rrajGmgQQeF > ----------------------------------------- > To post, send your message to:> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on," > in subject line and send to: > > More info about St. Paul Issues Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/stpaul-issues > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > Citizens Guide to St. Paul > http://e-democracy.org/wiki/Citizens_Guide_to_St._Paul > > Questions about rules violations? Send complaints and items for investigation to: >