Homeowners’ Groups Fill U.S. Last-Mile Broadband Gap

Incumbent telecommunications providers in the U.S. have long been protective of their franchises and footprints in trying to maintain their advantage in last-mile network infrastructure.  Municipally owned alternatives, exemplified by networks in Wilson, NC, and Chattanooga, TN, have met with legal roadblocks from incumbent providers seeking to limit alternatives to their own offerings, and legislators opposed to public broadband infrastructure continue to introduce bills to that end.  However, some private homeowners’ associations are sidestepping these lobbying efforts by directly contracting with alternative network providers. For residents of these neighborhoods, greatly improved network speed comes at a higher price up front, but may also result in higher property values, as well the ability of residents to better enjoy higher-quality digital products–and also to be more productive, if their livelihoods depend on network quality.   Read the article…………….