Rendell caves and signs HB30 - Verizon can prevent municipal networks statewide

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "David A. Maltz" <dmaltz () cs cmu edu>
Date: December 1, 2004 3:40:31 PM EST
To: 100x100-cmu-reading-group () cs cmu edu
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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