An AT&T $14 Billion Bait & Switch? Why You should Care.

"A regulated company will always renege on promises to provide public benefits tomorrow in exchange for regulatory and financial benefits today." This philosophy by Gigabit Nation guest Bruce Kushnick makes one wonder, is a recent AT&T announcement cause for joy, or a call for community broadband advocates to circle the wagons?

Last month some policymakers jumped for joy when the incumbent said it planned to spend $14 billion to upgrade its wired and wireless infrastructure. Others groaned as AT&T simultaneously began a drive to gut regulation that may be many small towns and rural communities last hope for even a hint of improved broadband services.

Kushnick, Exec. Dir of New Networks Institute, explains his analysis of historical evidence that infers “AT&T is lying about the amount of money they will spend or the deployments they will accomplish.” He presents reasons communities should care that this may be a smokescreen to enable company attacks on regulations that protect consumers and local business. Kushnick also gives communities some tips for how to fight back against these kinds of attacks in our statehouses.