Why Mayors John Tory and Jim Watson Are Against Competition for Access to Affordable Fast Broadband

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  • Why Mayors John Tory and Jim Watson Are Against Competition for Access to Affordable Fast Broadband - Michael Geist
    http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/01/why-mayors-john-tory-and-jim-watson-are-against-competition-for-access-

    Au Canada deux approches municipales opposées pour l’amélioration des réseaux de communication sont proposées au gouvernement fédéral

    Cities across the country have long emphasized the importance to the local economy of creating innovation hubs. There are different roads toward that goal, however, as shown by competing submissions from the mayors of Toronto and Calgary in a high-stakes battle over the future of broadband Internet services. Toronto mayor John Tory (joined by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson) sided with large telecom companies, while Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi emphasized the importance of open networks and more robust competition.

    Calgary focused on the need for cities to build their own network infrastructure to complement the services offered by the telecom giants. It noted the public interest benefits that arise from building municipal networks, which offer the chance for more competition and ensure that cities are not held hostage by large companies threatening to delay or withdraw network investments.

    Calgary also reminded the government that companies like Bell have long enjoyed benefits from public funding, protection from competition, and access to municipal infrastructure. While the new fibre connections do not rely on legacy infrastructure, their powerful market positions are directly linked to those earlier privileged positions.