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Petition seeks to remove limits on Internet providers

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By NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 - 12:06:30 am CDT

A petition drive that would allow Nebraska cities and public utility companies to provide high-speed Internet service to residents has begun.

According to Jack Gould, issues chairman for Common Cause Nebraska and a supporter of the petition drive, the petition route is the only way the public is going to be able to  get access to potentially lower-cost  high-speed Internet.

The Legislature, influenced by the telecommunications lobby, has been unwilling to allow such competition, he and other supporters say.  

Story Photo
Jack Gould

Sponsors of the initiative petition are Linda Aerni and Paul Schumacher, both involved in the Columbus-based Community Internet Systems, an Internet service company.  

Common Cause Nebraska has not taken an official stand on the petition, but Gould said he supports the proposal.

“I would certainly sign a petition,” he said. “Without a doubt, the prohibitions in state law keeping public utilities out of this area need to be removed.”    

In 2006, the Legislature created a two-year ban on public utilities’ involvement in Internet access and created a task force to study the issue.

That task force, which petition supporters say was stacked with opponents of public utility competition, determined that competition was bad.

A majority of the task force concluded that public sector involvement could dampen private investment in broadband services.

The majority also said it wasn’t convinced that allowing  public utilities to provide access to high-speed Internet would significantly improve service.   

Nebraska is well-covered, said Eric Carstenson, president of the  Nebraska Telecommunications Association, with  broadband access throughout all the major municipalities in the state.

“We don’t see any need for government to be in that segment and competing with private industry.”

Gould disagrees.

Allowing public utilities to get involved would bring better, cheaper service to very rural areas more quickly than is being done by private businesses concerned about profit, Gould said.

In addition, he said, cities could provide alternatives to cable and telephone Internet access and help drive down costs to consumers quickly.

A developing technology known as broadband over power lines could allow customers to get access to high-speed Internet by plugging their computers into common electrical outlets.

The new technology is making the service available and inexpensive in cities such as Philadelphia and Portland, Ore., he said.   

“Nebraska has publically owned utilities that could provide that service at a low cost.  But these guys (private companies)  want to gouge  the public for as long as they can,” Gould said.

Carstenson said it is relatively widely accepted that an electric utility can put broadband over its power lines, and it works well in populated areas but not so well in rural areas.

Petition supporters have started gathering signatures through volunteers and later will consider using paid circulators, Schumacher said.

They’ll need to gather signatures from about 90,000 Nebraska voters by early July to get the proposal on the November 2008 ballot.

The proposal would open the telecommunications door widely to public utilities.  

One bill, rejected by the Nebraska Legislature, would have allowed  public utilities to sell services only at the wholesale level.

This petition proposal allows utilities to sell directly to customers at the retail level and to compete along the whole range of telecommunications services — from telephone and cable to broadband high-speed Internet.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250  or nhicks@journalstar.com.


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JJ wrote on October 21, 2007 1:08 am:
" I am all for the broadband in the rural areas of this state for internet services. I live outside of having DSL or Cable bradband internet services and I am stuck with dialup which is very slow campared to the other. I can't believe that Nebraska Legistslature don't want this in the rural area and that I have to pay high utilities because they won't do anything about it and spend money on foolish things that are not important to the people of this state. Come on people, Lets stand up and voice what we want done and get it done since we elected these people to represent us and are not doing so for us. "
Kyle wrote on October 21, 2007 3:21 am:
" Where do I sign the petition at? "
Sandhills wrote on October 21, 2007 6:48 am:
" Imagine that! Competition is bad? Jeez! Allowing public utilities to provide high speed internet wouldn't improve service? This is another instance of powerful lobbyists influencing public policy because of corporate greed. The task force needs to come out to the sandhills region of Nebraska and see just how bad internet service is. I am currently paying nearly $300 a year for dial up service that crawls along at 26Kbs on a good day, and I only get 60 hours of use per month. For $600 a year I could get broadband internet, which would not really be broadband because of the distance from the current provider! Wow, how would having a public utility providing my service not help me? This is just another example of hypocrisy and deception from our elected officials who are having their pockets fleeced by selfish corporate interests. Where is the petition, I'll sign it in a heartbeat. "
Bubba wrote on October 21, 2007 6:57 am:
" Great idea, if you live in a rural area Windstream has no plans to add DSL to your area and the other options are Satellite which is $50+ a month if their equipment doesn't break and you have to wait over a month to get service. (Still waiting) "
Bob wrote on October 21, 2007 7:16 am:
" All of rural Nebraska needs to sign this petition. It would get you high speed internet for probably the cost of your dial-up service & provide those of us that are getting gouged like out here in Hastings with a lower cost alternative. "
Hank wrote on October 21, 2007 7:43 am:
" All of Nebraska, not just all of rural Nebraska, needs to sign this petition. LB645 limits competition everywhere. LB645 is one of the most corrupt pieces of legislation passed by the unicameral; it was ushered through by Brashear, who was Speaker of the legislature and a lawyer employed by Cox Communications at the same time. Talk about conflict of interest! We need an open market for any and all providers to compete, including local cooperatives, community enterprises, and utilities. We also need internet nuetrality to guarantee equal access to the services provided. The internet is our last hope of maintaining the free flow of information. Don't let the few remaining media monopolies control the internet the way they already control everything else. "
Dawn wrote on October 21, 2007 7:51 am:
" I have been living Arizona for about 10 years and my sisters' family lives in the country near Shelton and have the same lousy internet access now as when I was still living in Nebraska. They are handcuffed by selection and the phone company that does provide the service is lousy at best. This is a step in the correct direction, and the petition will secure many signitures by thinking of those whom are living outside of the cities, towns and villages. "
Dave Friedeman wrote on October 21, 2007 8:14 am:
" I live 10 miles north of Lincoln and Windstream keeps promising DSL. They never come through. All they care about is where they can make the most money. Where do I sign this petition? "
Joyce wrote on October 21, 2007 8:19 am:
" Please make a public announcement of where the petitions will be available and I will have tons of people there tosign it. Thanks for doing this. We need this competition everywhere in NE. "
Alvo wrote on October 21, 2007 8:39 am:
" I know myself and several other people who want to sign this petition. If anyone has any additional information on where to sign it, please let us know. Competition is always a good thing because it lowers costs to consumers. Monopolies are BAD and that's how several companies in Lincoln make their money. To name a few examples: Gasoline, Time Warner Cable & Windstream. It's funny because I was always under the impression that monopolies were illegal, yet there are several alive and well in Lincoln. Residents have no other choice if they want service. Can you imagine if we only had one provider for cell phone service? "
Hjalmer wrote on October 21, 2007 8:49 am:
" I'm less than 20 miles from Lincoln and I can't get DSL service. Windstream could care less about us. Sign the Petition! By the way, Gov. Heinemann supported the prohibition of public utilities providing internet service. Gee, there's a surprise. "
James wrote on October 21, 2007 9:02 am:
" Competition would be bad??? What the. This is exactly what Nebraska needs to be competitive in today's global markets. Our lawmakers tell us they are trying to bring jobs and economic development to rural areas?? I'm not buying it. Think of the economic benefits rural Nebraska could see from cheaper and more available broadband service throughout the state. "
Ricky wrote on October 21, 2007 9:28 am:
" Hank is right about how LB 645 was passed in the Unicam. Speaker Brashear was the same guy that helped on Regent Hergerts' campaign, then argued on the floor of the Legislature that Hergert should not be impeached. Rarely have I seen a more blatant example of conflict of interests than Brashear has showed. Watch out for his next move. Ricky From Omaha "
The Good Doctor wrote on October 21, 2007 9:45 am:
" You people are the most gullible people I have ever seen. Since when does government do anything faster, better, and cheaper. Doesn't anyone here remember the Lincoln ambulance fiasco. A private business driven out of town by the government and the result was slower response, worse service and a million dollar plus deficit. What's next? Government grocery stores? Government car dealerships? Grow up, sheeple. Not everything in life is free. Let government in the telecommunications business and the private sector will simply go away. What will be left is bad, expensive internet service. "
Windstream Employee wrote on October 21, 2007 10:53 am:
" I agree!!! Where do I sign the pettition?? I live outside the DSL area as well, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to get it anytime soon from my employer. "
Will James wrote on October 21, 2007 12:03 pm:
" Governmental units should not only provide internet service but also sell cars, groceries, drugs, appliances, furniture, etc. because those dirty scheming business people are only in it for a profit and could never do it as good the government. Government should also take over all farms to run them more effectively "
Straight Thinker wrote on October 21, 2007 12:40 pm:
" I'd sign this petition except for the fact they are promoting a failed and flawed technology, Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). BPL causes huge interference to two-way radio services vital to public safety and emergency communications. In addition, it is incredibly vulnerable to interference from the same sources. In short, it DOESN'T WORK! But, if they were to substitute WI-MAX for BPL, I'd sign, but as long as they are touting BPL, I will side with the telecomms who know BPL is a DISASTER and a waste of money and a threat to vital radio communications. WI-MAX covers a broad area and is a lot less expensive to deploy and has NONE of the drawbacks of BPL. BPL is snake oil foisted upon us by Wall St. speculators that are going broke as people find out how bad BPL is, and pull their money out of equipment suppiers. The best side effect of the current Nebraska legislation is that BPL has not been able to be foisted on us. If they prohibit BPL, but allow power utilities and other public entities to use wi-fi or WIMAX, then go for it, but as long as BPL is in the mix, I'll fight it! Out Sherriffs and State Patrol use frequencies that would be drastically affected by BPL..do we have the money to rebuild their statewide systems? Do WIMAX and you have a supporter, do BPL and you will have an enemy in the users of the radio spectrum. "
No Thanks wrote on October 21, 2007 12:46 pm:
" This sounds like more taxes, possibly to pay for free broadband for the "chilluns". No thanks, I'll pay for my own broadband. "
redherkey wrote on October 21, 2007 12:54 pm:
" Those who advocate Broadband over Power Line (BPL) need to learn up on the troubled technology before proposing it. BPL trials around the US have been overwhelmingly canceled due to the inability of the technology to avoid significant interference with radio frequencies. Simplifying the issue, the problem centers around the approach of putting radiofrequencies for broadband on very long wires. The other name for a long wire is an antenna. 60 Hz, the frequency your power line resonates on today, is unusable for anything else because a nation of antennas (power lines) broadcasts on it 24 hours a day. BPL puts a very large range of new frequencies on these antenna power lines. Attempts to notch out interference have failed. Worse yet, many trials have actually resulted in legal battles because the power companies have refused to stop interfering. Imagine having your radio, satellite TV or cellphones not working and a power company refusing to stop intefering due to their desire to enter yet another business. BPL isn't a viable technology; only stringing separate cables along the power right-of-way would be viable, but this is an investment the power companies do not wish to make. Encourage those who discuss this technology to read up on its fundamental flaws to avoid more failed implementations which the power rate payer will ultimately fund, and look at other power company service diversification failures which inevitably get dumped on the monopoly-funded side of the business. "
Tom wrote on October 21, 2007 1:58 pm:
" The President of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association statement “We don’t see any need for government to be in that segment and competing with private industry.” is a wonder. This is the same industry that says it can not deliver service to rural areas without huge subsidies through a government program. This at the same time our electric companies manage to deliver electricity to every barn and irrigation pump that wants it. It's time to take the shackles off our power companies. Where do I get a copy of this petition to sign? "
Rob wrote on October 21, 2007 2:19 pm:
" let the competition begin. Let it be done. "
Lineman wrote on October 21, 2007 3:38 pm:
" Leave internet to the communications utilities, the phone and cable companies. Us electical lineman have enough to worry about, we don't need to worry about someones internet not working. Managers will have us working to get someones internet going insteadof getting someones lights back on "
Eagle wrote on October 21, 2007 6:12 pm:
" It sounds like a couple of the nay-sayers actually work for the communications industry and want to put a scare into those who don't know. BPL is not the PERFECT answer, but it certainly is a start. This state does not want to help the rural community join the rest of us! I live outside of the area where DSL, Cable, and even the new Microwave type of access is not available. Why can't I have high speed? Remember, the more money I give to the public utilities, the less you pay for electricity, telephone, and any other publicly provided service (who ever that entity may be). This is not a tax burden, but an enhancement to the revenue stream that will help 'city slickers' in the long run. Let me know where the petitions are and I will sign along with thousands of others!!!! "
NO TO BPL wrote on October 21, 2007 7:01 pm:
" As said before internet service is wholly unsuitable over power lines. Any first year electrical engineer knows that. Other states and cities out east have tried to do it and found that it does not work. The biggest problem is interence with other services being one.Also if PBL is implemented power companies monitor power usage,also water and gas. And turn any one services off over the internet.Or a hacker since the internet signal radiates hunderds of yards past the power lines. Sign the petition? NO NO NO!!!!! "
Rural Nebraska > "Major municipalities" wrote on October 21, 2007 7:11 pm:
" Here's the problem: "Nebraska is well-covered, said Eric Carstenson, president of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association, with broadband access throughout all the major municipalities in the state" "All the major municipalities" in Nebraska make up a very small portion of the state in terms of area. I wouldn't be using that as your justification for why the public sector should stay out of this industry. "
HUH??? wrote on October 21, 2007 8:46 pm:
" The "internet signal radiates hundreds of yards past the power lines"???? OMG, do you seriously believe that??? Please...facts only. "
JA wrote on October 21, 2007 9:47 pm:
" To all you people who are all for this just because you think it would be cheaper and give you coverage and produce competition: What would stop the government from data mining all your activity on the internet. if you dont think you have privacy now, just wait. the way to create competition is to get more private providers. the govt doesn't have to answer to shareholders. let the govt in and and the possibliliy of getting more quality service in nebraska would be gone. why should my tax dollars pay for everyones internet service? this is stupid "
BPL does not work? wrote on October 21, 2007 9:59 pm:
" Don't tell the 50000 plus in Cincinnati that BPL does not work. Don't tell the 37000 plus in Manassas, Va that BPL does not work. Lets get to the real root of the problem. Those (very few) that PLAY with Ham radios MAY be affected. Talk about OLD technology. BLP tests have exceeded 100 Mbs. DirecTV is looking into a large roll-out. Let dinosaures die, the phone company, and Ham radio. There are better ways to communicate. This is one of them. "
yes wrote on October 21, 2007 10:34 pm:
" go jack go keep up the fight i hope you get it i will sign if given the chance its about time someone is taking a step in this direction "
rac wrote on October 21, 2007 10:40 pm:
" Maybe all you "country folk" just need to get a life and move to the "big city",quit whining... "
Bob wrote on October 22, 2007 9:08 am:
" I didn't know "public utilities" were run by the government. "
Linda Aerni wrote on October 22, 2007 10:45 am:
" For those who would like more information or to request a petition, please go to www.usepublicpower.com The response has been astounding! Thank you "
Actually Read It wrote on October 22, 2007 10:57 am:
" Would some of you Knee-Jerk Neo-cons actually read the article before you comment on it please? In the first place, this is not government, this is public owned business. In the second place, why on earth would you want to compare a fire-truck with an internet provider? Unbelieveable! "
Zoomie wrote on October 22, 2007 12:35 pm:
" Check the national news section for the story on Congress immunizing telecoms from criminal prosecution/lawsuits. Per the ex-CEO of Qwest, Bush has been data mining telephone and internet traffic since at least Feb '01 (note the date: BEFORE 9/11...meaning he's been doing it BEFORE he had an excuse, and even doing it couldn't prevent 9/11!). And for the naysayers...if gov't is as incompetent as you guys claim, why do corporations spend millions annually working to keep gov't out of any sort of competition with them? Perhaps because when they DO compete with industry, they in fact often beat industry? I seem to remember the financial industry admitting a few yrs ago they couldn't handle the likes of a "privatized" Social Security for less than 3% admin costs (but more realistic would be 5-15%), yet SS has run for over 70yrs (and is safe for AT LEAST 35 more years per the Bush Admin) on only 0.5% admin fees...sounds like the gov't is doing it better there! Or how about the VA Medical System in 1998-2000, named BEST Healthcare Delivery System in America by JCAHO, a non-partisan health industry group? "
JRH wrote on October 22, 2007 12:40 pm:
" Back in the early '90s the U.S. lead the world in internet technology, systems, etc. Now we don't even make the top 25! In Omaha, Cox brags about its 14mbps download speed (for top-tier premium customers only), and it is about the fastest available download in the state! Yet in Korea, ordinary citizens get over 100mbps download, and for half what we pay Cox! Same is true in the UK (I was there in July and got 40mbps download in a farmhouse outside Stafford), France, Japan...These countries have embraced new technology, and used the power of gov't to ensure citizens get the best technology (most use fiber-optics, while we still use mostly copper cable). Our telecoms promised 10yrs ago to upgrade everywhere in exchange for a telecom fee on phone lines; they kept the profits, but never delivered the promised upgrades to equipment or service! "
Future Tech www.futuretk.com wrote on October 22, 2007 2:52 pm:
" I think competition is healthy and EVERYONE deserves access to broadband but do you really believe that allowing the public utilities to offer these services is going to improve service, make it cheaper or bring it to rural areas?? If competition drives prices down any lower around Lincoln, service is going to suffer. You can already get DSL for $19.99/month....if prices continue to fall the cost of delivering this service is going to exceed this....even if delivered by a public entity. This would in tern lead to higher taxes or utility costs to subsidize this loss! There is a reason why rural areas can't get DSL or Cable....it costs to much to bring the service there. Bringing a "wired type" of broadband service to all rural areas of Nebraska would be sure to have a price tag with 10+ figures, even if done with bpl. So who will pay for this? I am not willing to see a significant raise in my taxes or utilities to get a service I already have at reasonable price. I think the private sector is already doing a better job than a public entity could at bringing broadband to rural areas through alternative technologies such as wireless. While this technology has it's limits, new technologies (like WI-MAX) are sure to offer improvement. Over 30 percent of the rural population in Nebraska already has access to this type of service (including most of the areas around Lincoln) at a price that I don't think even a public utility could match. I would sign this petition if it came to me because I believe that anyone should be allowed to offer these services and people should have the right to choose. However, I fear that those of you hoping to see lower prices and service brought to rural areas are going to be grossly disappointed.. "
Garbage Hauling Next wrote on October 23, 2007 9:12 am:
" Monopolies are not only found in providing internet access. Lincoln also allows monopolies in garbage hauling. I still cannot believe I have to pay $18 per month just to have trash picked up. My relatives in Omaha have trash, recycling and yardwaste picked up at the curb as part of their property taxes. "

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