A bipartisan coalition of Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced legislation that attempts to reverse some of the state’s most-stringent provisions hamstringing municipal broadband builds.

But experts suggest that while the bill may be well-intentioned, a cleaner approach would be to eliminate the state’s harmful and dated restrictions on municipal broadband entirely.

 by Karl Bode

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In surprise vote, Montana House Republicans (and incumbent companies) kill Democratic municipal broadband proposal. “(Providers) just do not show up in those small towns”

“(Providers) just do not show up in those small towns,” “We’re trying to show the people of Montana that we’re trying … but we’re getting thwarted at every turn,”

LC1539 – An Act Allowing Montana Municipalities to Own and Operate Municipal Broadband Systems

States without restrictions enjoyed higher access to low-priced broadband plans on average.

Municipal Broadband Is Roadblocked Or Outlawed In 22 States States without municipal broadband restrictions have lower internet prices on average.

States without restrictions enjoyed higher access to low-priced broadband plans on average. Low-priced access data was taken from active internet plans in our database as of Q2 2020.

Community Broadband – The Fast, Affordable Internet Option That’s Flying Under the Radar

Unfortunately, as many as 20 states prevent localities from forming their own networks. These restrictive state laws should be repealed so that local governments can decide for themselves whether these networks are best for their communities.