Submitted by Reader (not verified) on Tue, 10/18/2005 - 23:46.
Iowa has become a battleground for government owned Internet vs. Free Enterprise.
As a taxpayer, it is ludicrous to see a government compete in the private sector world that is as risky as telecom. Remember XO, MCI, Worldcom, Adelphia? Those were pioneers in the race to deliver high speed Internet to Americans. They also had failed business plans.
I don't want to see my taxes at risk to deliver 100Mbps to my living room when I can pull 7Mbps on a DSL line or 10Mbps on cable modem for around $50.
The government's job is to protect its citizen’s life, liberty and property. It should not interfere with private industry. If anything, it should work with the private sector. Why wouldn't a community prefer to have a $8 million network build out with a cable or phone company instead of spending $24 million to compete?
With around 60% of the homes in America owning computers, that leaves 40% of the residents risking tax money for services they won't benefit from.
The cities are being duped by Clark McLeod (Formerly of the bankrupt McLeod USA) Fiber Utility of Iowa. FU Iowa is going to bury the fiber, send the bill and walk away. I appreciate the genius in this plan, as an entrepreneur, but I am shocked at the city leaders that are drinking the Kool-Aide of the magical, golden thread. This magical thread is promising an influx of business, happy citizens, and a myriad of other myths.
If a company needed fiber in order to locate to a community, wouldn't a private sector company, who's job it is to make as much money as possible for the share holders, jump all over the opportunity if they worked with the economic developers? Or is that the role of the 82 year-old grandmother that lives by herself, with no computer - for the good of the community.
Iowa is not a battleground for telecom. It has become a bazaar of merchants pedaling their wares. A vagabond has come up with a better way of fleecing taxpayers with promises and dreams. Iowa does not need the beans this group is pedaling. This is no opportunity, Iowa
Is Iowa the telecom battleground?
Iowa has become a battleground for government owned Internet vs. Free Enterprise.
As a taxpayer, it is ludicrous to see a government compete in the private sector world that is as risky as telecom. Remember XO, MCI, Worldcom, Adelphia? Those were pioneers in the race to deliver high speed Internet to Americans. They also had failed business plans.
I don't want to see my taxes at risk to deliver 100Mbps to my living room when I can pull 7Mbps on a DSL line or 10Mbps on cable modem for around $50.
The government's job is to protect its citizen’s life, liberty and property. It should not interfere with private industry. If anything, it should work with the private sector. Why wouldn't a community prefer to have a $8 million network build out with a cable or phone company instead of spending $24 million to compete?
With around 60% of the homes in America owning computers, that leaves 40% of the residents risking tax money for services they won't benefit from.
The cities are being duped by Clark McLeod (Formerly of the bankrupt McLeod USA) Fiber Utility of Iowa. FU Iowa is going to bury the fiber, send the bill and walk away. I appreciate the genius in this plan, as an entrepreneur, but I am shocked at the city leaders that are drinking the Kool-Aide of the magical, golden thread. This magical thread is promising an influx of business, happy citizens, and a myriad of other myths.
If a company needed fiber in order to locate to a community, wouldn't a private sector company, who's job it is to make as much money as possible for the share holders, jump all over the opportunity if they worked with the economic developers? Or is that the role of the 82 year-old grandmother that lives by herself, with no computer - for the good of the community.
Iowa is not a battleground for telecom. It has become a bazaar of merchants pedaling their wares. A vagabond has come up with a better way of fleecing taxpayers with promises and dreams. Iowa does not need the beans this group is pedaling. This is no opportunity, Iowa