Maybe the town officials should look into this as a possible partner for a broadband network. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2010-02-10-google-broadband_N.htm
I don’t endorse the town building a broadband network. I worked in that industry for over 30 years(many of those years in Hartsville)and I know how expensive it is to build a network. There is no way this could be working in 6 months as the newspaper article said. It would take a year or more to get it off the ground. I have no love for the cable companies, but for the town to go head to head with them could be a very costly mistake.
Kingfish & therealist:
Can you share more about this issue?
I am curious since I haven’t heard much about the idea from community members. What does everyone else think about this?
To my understanding, the mayor’s proposal is to get the funding for the infrastructure (the expensive part) through the ARRA or federal stimulus grants, which would not have to be repaid.
If those funds were somehow made not available, I don’t think the City would continue this plan.
Google Greenlight, Wilson NC for more. Wilson fought a big time battle with cable companies to keep their broadband. I understand now they offer digital phone, TV and internet for less than the local cable companies. Good for them! I also know they fought tooth and nail for it all the way. The cable company even lobbied NC legislature to pass laws to PREVENT Wilson from offering the service. I guess cable, typically a monopoly, is against capitalism.
Last I read, NO city in SC runs a broadband company, and I’m sure Time Warner and Comcast have a slew of lawyers just waiting for the first town to try it.
I hope it works - even if its only internet.
Initially the infrastructure is a major expense, but the operating costs associated with the start up are also a big expense. The town would have to hire numerous people ready to move once the system is built. These people would have to be very knowledgeable in the broadband industry and would have to be paid accordingly. They would need people to install the service in customers homes, again not cheap. Also office space, trained customer service people, vehicles, etc. All of this while the income level is $0. This doesn’t take into consideration possible legal action from the local broadband operator.( I know who they are, I just chose not to mention the name.) The main question is; can Hartsville afford to support this during the startup phase which could last for many years, or could the money be better spend in other places to benefit the local citizens? I don’t think the current operator in town is the “bottom of the barrel” company, (they are the same company my town in Mass has) so I really see no need to compete against them. If you don’t like the local operator, do like I do, I have Direct TV and Verizon DSL service and am very satisfied.
I just read an article about the Wilson NC system. The speed sounds great if you can afford $300.00 per month for internet service. The town also owns the local power too. The one statement in the article I liked was that if the broadband system couldn’t support itself that the town could either raise the power rates or raise taxes. Here is a link to the article: http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:259848
I still caution the mayor in his endeavor - the paper mentioned McBee as a source of income.
What? I thought the goal of the City is to attract people to live in the City limits. We don’t want to attract people to live in McBee.
Of course - the cost of building the network may be so expensive one could not AFFORD to keep it in the city limits. Then again, anything that knocks time warner off the pedestal it built for itself is good to me.