For Some US Towns, Internet Access is DIY

As providers focus on big markets, locals take net into own hands

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 3:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – Around the world, firms and governments are ramping up the speed and availability of internet access. But in the US, telecoms are focusing mainly on big-city markets. To avoid professional brain drain, some smaller cities and towns are investing in more powerful infrastructure, the Wall Street Journal reports. But the risks, and burdens, are great, and some private providers are resisting new competition.

Last month, Comcast sued the Chattanooga, Tenn., city utility, claiming it undermined competition. Still, places like Chattanooga feel they have no choice: "With the rivers and the mountains, young people want to live here," says one entrepreneur. "But you need good bandwidth to work here."

An operator holds a fiber optic cable used to calculate the irrigation of the land on the outskirts of Valencia, east Spain, Thursday May 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Verizon lineman Clemente Calma installs fiber optic cable on a telephone pole in Massapequa Park, N.Y. in this file photo of May 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

A fiber optic cable is seen in this undated file photo. (Shutterstock)

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For Some US Towns, Internet Access is DIY

As providers focus on big markets, locals take net into own hands

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Why US Broadband Is So Slow

Population density, delivery methods give Asia, Europe a leg up

Comcast to Put Brakes on Bandwidth Hogs

ISP decides to slow down users rather than P2P programs after FCC scolding

FCC Ready to Defend Net Neutrality

Agency says it will step in to stop ISPs from blocking access

Comcast Plans $10 Internet for Low-Income Families

Plan stems from NBC merger

Finland Makes Broadband a Human Right

All Finns are now guaranteed a connection

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As providers focus on big markets, locals take net into own hands

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Comcast • broadband Internet • competition • small towns • Internet access • fiber optic cables • utilities • bandwidth

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Why US Broadband Is So Slow

Population density, delivery methods give Asia, Europe a leg up

Comcast to Put Brakes on Bandwidth Hogs

ISP decides to slow down users rather than P2P programs after FCC scolding

FCC Ready to Defend Net Neutrality

Agency says it will step in to stop ISPs from blocking access

Comcast Plans $10 Internet for Low-Income Families

Plan stems from NBC merger

Finland Makes Broadband a Human Right

All Finns are now guaranteed a connection

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Newser By Users

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