this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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596
US broadband grant rules shut out small ISPs and municipalities, advocates say (arstechnica.com)
submitted 1 year ago by DannyMac to c/technology
63 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The biggest Internet service providers will dominate a $42.45 billion broadband grant program unless the Biden administration changes a rule requiring grant recipients to obtain a letter of credit from a bank, according to a joint statement from consumer advocacy groups, local government officials, and advocates for small ISPs.

The letter sent today to US government officials argues that "by establishing capital barriers too steep for all but the best-funded ISPs, the LOC [letter-of-credit requirement] shuts out the vast majority of entities the program claims to prioritize: small and community-centered ISPs, minority and women-owned ISPs, nonprofits, and municipalities."

The rule is part of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program that's being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

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[–] kinther 38 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Here in Seattle I have two options: Centurylink or Comcast. I would happily purchase a plan from a smaller company, but due to the duopoly we have here, I have no other choice.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's also astound (formally wave) offering gigabit+ in Seattle.

[–] kinther 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks! I'll check them out. I've tried Ziply several times, but my specific location has some unique challenges getting a provider in.

[–] ohlaph 4 points 1 year ago

Same. When I moved, we had the option for Ziply 9ver Comcast and finally was able to shake them.

[–] hglman 5 points 1 year ago

Internet should be a public utility and owned by the local government.

[–] piecat 3 points 1 year ago

Plenty of smaller ISPs are WISPs, wireless ISPs. Great for rural too, you just need line-of-sight. Look up if any serve your area

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

You could cut the cable altogether and just go full mobile. That's what I do, and I'm happy to see an extra $600 in my bank account at the end of the year.

I use Visible for only $25/month. Unlimited data, great coverage, and they even sent me a free 5G phone when I refused to upgrade.

Couldn't be happier.