Critics warn against plan to allow city-owned broadband systems
From Carolina Journal:
Another wrinkle is the movement from fiber to wireless, especially with the emerging 5G technology. Tom Struble, technology policy manager at R Street Institute, noted the next generation of wireless and its promise of 1 gigabit-plus download speeds is quickly gaining a foothold. He expects to see mass use of 5G in many locales by 2020.
It takes an average of five years to construct a fully-functional broadband system, so any cities hoping to start now are probably already behind the curve, he said.
“I would be extremely hesitant to push public money into one of these [government] projects right now,” Struble said. “I think it would be particularly foolhardy because of how 5G can disrupt the home internet market.”
