« Home | Governor Taft failing Ohio » | Welcome » | Site Updates »

House bill could block local Wi-Fi

According to an article in this week's Citybeat
As it stands, municipal Wi-Fi is banned in 11 states. Eleven others, including Ohio, have bills pending in their legislatures. Ohio House Bill 188, introduced in April, would force a municipality that already has two Internet providers -- the cable and phone companies -- to go through such a lengthy process of public evaluation that it would essentially block any such project before it got off the ground.


State Senator Mark Mallory (D-West end) commented on the bill by saying "I see a real need for community Wi-Fi. I just think we need to find a fair and balanced way to do this."

I applaud Mallory on his ability to see the important issue in this, the "real need" for citizens of Cincinnati to have affordable wireless Internet access.

Who is pushing the legislation?
What are the reasons given for promoting such legislation? What are the other reasons?

Post a Comment