The article covers Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), a program initiated by the Trump adminstration to build rural broadband. Earlier attempts had failed, reportedly due to “excessive redtape” — so this version did away with all that.
Unfortunately, the project was stymied by mapping errors as the plots selected for development were poorly choosen:
>”empty patch of grass, industrial-park storage tanks, and a luxury resort that already had broadband”
The article argues in favor of tighter regulations on ISPs and employing public companies in an approach similar to rural electrification under FDR. The author finds a few, rather small examples where this approach has succeeded in rural areas.
**Thoughts**
What do we or arr slash neoliberal think of this proposal? I am mixed: public companies have succeeded in some wealthy countries, but they have a poor track record in middle-income democratic nations. They tend to get caught up in politics making firing and hiring difficult.
Then again, ISPs are natural monopolies and historically these don’t do well without substantial regulation or nationalisation. Think the utility battles in the early 20th century.
Anyone with some thoughts or anecdotes want to weigh in?
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**Summary**
The article covers Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), a program initiated by the Trump adminstration to build rural broadband. Earlier attempts had failed, reportedly due to “excessive redtape” — so this version did away with all that.
Unfortunately, the project was stymied by mapping errors as the plots selected for development were poorly choosen:
>”empty patch of grass, industrial-park storage tanks, and a luxury resort that already had broadband”
The article argues in favor of tighter regulations on ISPs and employing public companies in an approach similar to rural electrification under FDR. The author finds a few, rather small examples where this approach has succeeded in rural areas.
**Thoughts**
What do we or arr slash neoliberal think of this proposal? I am mixed: public companies have succeeded in some wealthy countries, but they have a poor track record in middle-income democratic nations. They tend to get caught up in politics making firing and hiring difficult.
Then again, ISPs are natural monopolies and historically these don’t do well without substantial regulation or nationalisation. Think the utility battles in the early 20th century.
Anyone with some thoughts or anecdotes want to weigh in?