Panel Seeks Input As Towns Battle Telecoms for Right to be Wired (Y‪)‬

The latest effort by telecommunication companies to discourage local governments from getting into the broadband business will continue this week with comments from the public. The House Finance Committee wants more input as it reviews legislation that would sharply restrict the chances for towns and cities to step in when cable and phone companies decide not to build high-speed Internet systems in lightly populated areas. Opponents say telecom companies aren't extending super-fast Internet service at reasonable prices, and that keeps smaller communities behind in the wired world of commerce. The companies argue the local governments have an unfair advantage because they don't have to pay taxes and can subsidize their rates by shifting profits from their electricity or gas customers, undercutting the corporate competitors.