[kevindqc]

As someone else pointed out in the comments, then why not have the city put the fiber in the ground, but let private ISPs run the network devices and ISP stuff (ie: a bit similar to TekSavvy in Canada which uses other ISP's infrastructure - I assume they use more than just the fiber though)

[sliverstorm]

The real free market maniacs, don't want the government involved at all, in anything, in any way whatsoever. Private streets, private pipes, private prisons, private judiciary system, private police...

While I think pipes owned by the people and leased to private ISPs is a very interesting solution, I don't think it would fly with the zero-government crowd.

[Barrin92]

>I don't think it would fly with the zero-government crow

what I don't understand about these people is that they must recognise that comcast essentially functions the same way the dreaded government does. They are just as large, they are just as organised and powerful. But in contrast to the government there is not even a democratic check and balance, and an explicit profit motive.

I would assume someone who likes the 'market' part in 'free market' recognises that a single giant corporate entity is not very market like at all

[sliverstorm]

They basically believe the single-giant-corporate-entity exists only because of government. If government disappeared, all markets would become competitive, single-giants would vanish completely, there would always be choice.

[conanbatt]

You have a glimpse of a chance of an alternative option if its private. If its done by the government and its bad, you are going to have it for the rest of your life.

[tsbertalan]

Astroturfing.