7. "Mail's a good analogy bc market forces would leave some area unserved" In response to In response to 1
Just like there are many areas where the major companies have avoided providing service bc of the high cost and low profit potential. Like other utilities, it's about trying to bring the benefits of certain innovations to everybody.
I think it's fine for local govts to offer a base level of internet connectivity for everyone. The big telephone and cable services aren't limited from delivering the content that drives most of their profits anyway.