Last week Minnesota eliminated two laws that protected Internet monopolies. In the past, the laws made it hard for local governments to build their own Internet system to challenge commercial companies like Comcast and Spectrum.
These changes also mean broadband is no longer regulated like a telephone service. Since the launch of broadband many states regulated it like a phone service. That is changing and new laws are being made that will allow them to be regulated on their own. This will help move broadband into its own area allowing for regulation specific for Internet without rules about phone service.
Hopefully this move will bring a growing number of competitive options for home Internet service to those living in Minnesota. Currently there are 650 public broadband services in the United States, according to the American Association for Public Broadband.
“We applaud the tireless work of advocates and Minnesota legislators who have successfully passed a bill removing restrictions on community broadband. This is a significant win for the people of Minnesota and highlights a positive trend—states are dropping misguided barriers to deploying public broadband as examples of successful community-owned networks proliferate across the country,” said Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of AAPB.
I have reported on this new law before, but I thought this spin was interesting.