Daily Report: Fighting State Laws That Can Limit Access to High-Speed Web

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Nineteen states have laws that limit municipalities from building or expanding high-speed Internet service networks, Edward Wyatt reports. The reason behind those laws, supporters say, is to limit taxpayer exposure to projects that at times fail and for which there may be little demand.

But Tom Wheeler, the Federal Communications Commission chairman, says providing access to broadband Internet is in the public interest. And for that reason, he says, the commission can override those state laws — setting off a heated debate about the federal commission’s authority over states and about whether local governments or private companies should provide the service.

Mark Cooper, research director of the Consumer Federation of America, said he expected “a long and vicious fight.” He added: “There is a felt need for a higher quality of service at a more reliable price. There’s a perception of market failure. If consumers were not upset, they wouldn’t be asking for it.”

At the center of the debate are Chattanooga, Tenn., and Wilson, N.C. The two cities have petitioned the commission to invalidate their state laws. A ruling from the F.C.C. is expected next year. Read more »