[WoodenChair]

We had this in Burlington, VT and now we're selling it off because the city could not run it effectively (massive debt). Be careful — government is usually not a great runner of a customer-service focused business. Further, do you really want government (municipal) or otherwise being your ISP? Having access to all of your traffic lines?

[actuallyalys]

I'm not sure governments are actually worse than businesses at that on average. I've had excellent service at libraries, for example. Polls suggest most people have a positive view of libraries. [0]

I don't see how a local municipality having access is worse than a large corporation. At least municipalities aren't incentivized to extract more revenue by selling data. It seems like regulations and technology are better solutions to privacy issues than keeping ISPs private.

[0] http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/libraries-2016/

[Clubber]

All of your points are valid, but let me counter argue.

Be careful — government is usually not a great runner of a customer-service focused business.

Maybe, maybe not, but we know Comcast and TWC aren't a great runner of customer-service focused business.

Further, do you really want government (municipal) or otherwise being your ISP? Having access to all of your traffic lines?

No, but I'm assuming they already have access without a warrant now.

[WoodenChair]

So, you chose the red herrings of the worst possible ISPs. There are great commercial ISPs too. What's more important is competition, which again is limited by government (government decides who gets access to build-out lines).

I agree, federal government does have the resources to spy, and uses them very effectively. Why make it that much easier for our local governments to do that as well.

[15charlimit]

> There are great commercial ISPs too.

Sure, if you're lucky enough to live in an area with "actual" competition, which is the crux of the entire issue.

The vast, vast majority of us are stuck with 1 or 2 (if we're lucky) options, both relatively shitty, with one being markedly inferior, and both absurdly overpriced for the connection you get.

[sliverstorm]

What's more important is competition

Right, and that's a key ingredient that is missing in Fort Collins. Two main providers, who have been operating in typical duopoly fashion. I.e. you get one or the other, not both, and even if you can get both, the other is no better.

[Clubber]

>is limited by government (government decides who gets access to build-out lines).

The local municipalities should build out the lines on the taxpayer dime, then lease them to the IPS's and get an ROI. Contract out maintenance.

[s73ver_]

You're gonna have to prove that claim, that this makes it easier for governments to spy on people.

[s73ver_]

"Further, do you really want government (municipal) or otherwise being your ISP? Having access to all of your traffic lines?"

Why do people keep bringing this up? They act like government is going to be able to bypass the current laws in place in a way that they couldn't with Comcast.