Electric Internet plan creates static in Maryland town

Hagerstown officials are getting some static for planning to offer high-speed Internet access over city-owned power lines.

Critics say the service, which would be provided by a contractor, could interfere with radio frequencies used by emergency responders and ham radio operators.

And other Internet service providers say it wouldn’t be fair to let a competitor use a public utility to deliver its product.

Germantown-based Current Communications Group, which co-owns one of the companies bidding on the contract, dismissed those complaints Wednesday. Spokesman Jay L. Birnbaum said the chances of radio interference are practically nil, and the concerns about unfair trade reflect efforts to limit competition.

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-03-17-electric-net-oppo_x.htm