[dv_dt]

This is why I think the makes the most sense for cities to own their own broadband infrastructure (just like they often own their road & water/sewer infrastructure). Maybe let out a contract for management of it comercially that gets periodically reviewed - maybe even split the basic infrastructure maintenance with companies competing to deliver data from common data centers across the last mile wiring/fiber so multiple have a market to compete within.

[kyebosh]

This is, in general, close to what the Australian NBN model was aiming for; the fibre capacity was to be "leased" wholesale to the commercial entities, with the leases used for maintenance & upgrades. In theory it avoids special interests & provides a baseline platform.