CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Residents again packed the Bradley County Courthouse this week to show their support for state legislative bills that would allow utilities to provide broadband services beyond their already prescribed areas.
On Monday evening, the audience loudly voiced its enthusiasm during a Bradley County Commission discussion, repeating the excitement shown in a March 5 town meeting about the possibility of allowing outside utility-based broadband providers, such as EPB, into the community.
Bradley County commissioners voted 12-1 to ask the statewide delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly support House Bill 1303 and Senate Bill 1134, which would open broadband expansion across the state. Commission Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber cast the sole “no” vote; Commissioner Terry Caywood was absent.
The issue goes beyond just reconciling the needs of areas left underserved by telecom giants Charter and AT&T, Yarber said.
“Try not to make it a referendum about [Charter],” said Yarber, who said he was concerned the bills would empower government overreach.
Thomas CryeCommissioner Thomas Crye, who sponsored the measure supporting the state bills, said the proposed legislation aligns with the government’s responsibility to promote the general welfare of the public, citing infrastructural needs such as electricity, roads, sewers and flood control.
“Broadband is no longer a luxury,” said Crye, asserting that reliable Internet services are a necessary utility for education and economic development.
He challenged assertions that allowing utility-based broadband providers to expand their service areas would give them monopolies in their new areas, stating utilities such as EPB would still face competition from the private sector.
Some commissioners cited shortcomings by telecom companies as the reason they supported the utility broadband bills.
“They’ve had their opportunity and failed,” Commissioner Mike Hughes said. “It’s time to open it up.”
Commissioner Dan Rawls said Charter provided “appalling service” and had never fulfilled its obligation to the county.
He also questioned the private sector status of telecom giants, mentioning government subsidies and tax abatements.
In March, Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown, who co-sponsored a previous version of the broadband legislation, said only a “pause button” had been hit and the issue was “still very much alive” when it failed to gain enough traction among state senators during the last legislative session.
Cleveland Utilities has been quite vocal in its support of the expansion of utility-based broadband services.
Such legislation, if it passes, “would open up a number of options,” Ken Webb, president and CEO of Cleveland Utilities, said earlier this year.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.