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> It would be extremely challenging, legally. If we're talking about cable rather than copper, the last mile was built by private companies with private money.
by Avenger42 12y ago
> It would be extremely challenging, legally. If we're talking about cable rather than copper, the last mile was built by private companies with private money.
What about the government claiming the cable under eminent domain? You can pay the companies "market rate", and when you're done you can lease the lines to anyone, including the original company?
- wmf 12y agoComcast is buying slightly over 10% of all US broadband subscribers for $45B, so let's say the entire US broadband infrastructure is worth over $400B. That's some serious eminent domain.
- mullingitover 12y agoTrue, but they're buying a business. A purchase that's strictly infrastructure would rule out the business relationships and contracts and would be significantly cheaper, especially given that the existing customers are free to remain customers (although who's to say what they'll do when they suddenly are exposed to the competition...)