[WSIS CS-Plenary] [Fwd: New reports make definitive case for municipal broadband]

[Sasha Costanza-Chock]

12 PM, April 11, 2005

Contact:
Harold Feld, Media Access Project, (202) 454-5684
Mark Cooper, Consumer Federation of America, (202) 384-2204
Ben Scott, Free Press, (202) 265-1490

Press Conference Call
Host: Consumers Union
Monday, April 11, 2005
12:00 pm EST
866-711-1455, code 281119

New reports make definitive case for Municipal Broadband
Consumer groups debunk incumbent industry propaganda


WASHINGTON - Municipal broadband networks can provide an essential 
catalyst for market competition, economic development, and the 
achievement of universal, affordable Internet access, according to three 
new reports released today by the Media Access Project (MAP), Consumer 
Federation of America (CFA), Free Press, and the Florida Municipal 
Electric Association.  Furthermore, contrary to the assertions of 
opponents of municipal entry, local governments have proven more than 
capable of successfully building and maintaining such networks.

The MAP/CFA/Free Press Report, "Connecting the Public: The Truth About 
Municipal Broadband," makes a strong case for municipal broadband, while 
responding to the arguments of skeptics. "Municipal networks build local 
communities by connecting people to needed services and attracting 
jobs," said Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of the Media Access Project.

"In most places in the country, particularly in traditionally 
underserved communities such as minority neighborhoods and rural areas, 
the duopoly of local phone and local cable incumbents has failed 
consumers," said Mark Cooper, Director of Research at the Consumer 
Federation of America. "Municipal networks provide a needed safety net 
and competitor.  Just as municipal electric systems proved critical to 
making access to electric service universal in the 20th Century, 
municipal networks will make broadband access universal in the 21st."

A separate study by Free Press, "Telco Lies: The Truth About Municipal 
Broadband," takes up a case-by-case study of the municipal networks most 
often cited by telco and cable incumbents as "failures." The analysis 
shows that most of the statistics demonstrating municipal failure are 
years out of date, unverified, or inaccurate. "The industry lobbies and 
their affiliated think tanks have been peddling misinformation for too 
long," said Ben Scott, Policy Director at Free Press. "This report 
offers the unvarnished truth and exposes the Orwellian propaganda that 
labels success as failure."

Independently, the Florida Municipal Electric Association released a 
study by economist George Ford comparing similarly situated cities in 
Florida. The paper demonstrates that in cities where municipalities have 
offered communications services, there is a significant increase in 
economic development. Florida is one of several states considering 
legislation to prohibit or restrict municipal broadband systems.  Other 
states include Colorado, Texas, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Download all three reports at: www.freepress.net/communityinternet/=reports

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