[IP] Rendell caves and signs HB30 - Verizon can prevent municipal networks statewide
Begin forwarded message:
From: "David A. Maltz" <dmaltz@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 1, 2004 3:40:31 PM EST
To: 100x100-cmu-reading-group@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Rendell caves and signs HB30 - Verizon can prevent municipal
networks statewide
Verizon Communications yesterday reached an agreement with the city of
Philadelphia that will let the city move forward with its plans for a
citywide wide area WiFi network. While specific details about the deal
have not been released, Verizon agreed to waive its rights under the
new legislation to bar Philadelphia from providing WiFi service for
free or at a low-cost.
As for the bill in question, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell yesterday
signed it into law. This hotly contested new law will make it illegal
for municipalities to offer their constituents wireless or landline
broadband service without first getting the permission of broadband
service providers. Without that permission, carriers can block any
effort to build a municipal network in the commonwealth. Thanks to its
agreement with Verizon, Philadelphia will be exempt from this
stipulation. Most insiders claim the law will effectively end the
municipal WiFi effort in the rest of Pennsylvania, making it almost
impossible for other cities to negotiate a reasonable rate for offering
free or low-cost broadband wireless.
<http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?
newsid=13465974&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6>
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