10 Ways Government Stifles Competition

“Government Owned Broadband Stifles Competition.” In an opinion article of that name from July, 2013, the Coalition for the New Economy reiterates their long-standing argument, echoed in Wired magazine, noting that borrowing money to build “lumbering public broadband utilities that have no incentive to keep costs down” is the worst way to improve broadband access.” They explain how local governments and utility systems create barriers to private sector entry even when they do not have their own networks. They have the final say on whether an ISP can build a network and what hoops the ISP must jump through to get approval. Clearly, reducing government’s control in this area has and will result in increased private investment and hence, competition. If regulation is to have a place, it must be neutral and not pick winners and losers or raise costs by tweaking rules in a self-serving manner; disciplines that local governments have consistently missed.