This surely is a case where the city ought to sue for lost revenues
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081107-too-important-to-lose-telco-appeals-citys-fiber-optic-win.htmlWe've been watching the legal wrangling in Monticello, Minnesota for months now, since it represents in microcosm a larger struggle around the country between private ISPs and municipalities that want to begin offering high-speed Internet (often fiber) as a public utility. Today brought a reminder of just how drawn-out such disputes can become as TDS Telecom filed an appeal after its complaint against the city's new fiber network was tossed by a county judge in early October.
The company objects to Monticello's plan to build a fiber-to-the-home network that would reach every business and home in town, would have no long-term contracts, and would be community owned. The city would build the network using municipal bonds, which it has already sold (the funds wait in escrow until the legal maneuvering is over), then offer interconnects to different ISP networks from a central access point.
After the city began the process of selling bonds and building the network, TDS decided to offer fiber connections of its own. The project is much further along than the city's effort, since Monticello's fiber work was delayed by the lawsuit.
Even while filing this appeal that is sure to be once again decided in the favour of the city, TDS has been hard selling their lock-in contracts to the local inhabitants in a selfish attempt to ensure they will not be able to benefit from the cheaper price of the citys offering, this is one of the dirtiest campaigns I have ever witnessed by an ISP, steer clear of them if your able.
