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Austin Chronicle: HB 789 Harmful to Public Internet

The Austin Chronicle reports on the potential public harm from some of the telecom bills currently in the Texas house.

In their current form, HB 3179 and HB 789 would impose statewide standards that will erode cities' influence over the telecom industry. Proponents, including such major telecom players as San Antonio-based SBC Communications, say the bills will remove barriers to local markets, thereby spurring robust competition. Critics, however, fear these bills will instead prematurely bar municipalities from implementing broadband initiatives, and thereby leave too many communities without broadband access.

Read the full article.