YOUR TAKE

Telephony readers are divided on whether municipalities should be allowed to build networks. Almost half say they should be able to if incumbents don't make broadband ubiquitous. But a solid 44% say local governments shouldn't be allowed to build networks, either, because they would use tax money or because their networks are doomed to fail.

Should municipalities be able to build their own broadband networks?

No, government units shouldn't compete with private enterprise — 21%

No, public networks will be an expensive taxpayer boondoggle — 21%

Yes, if incumbent service providers refuse to provide ubiquitous broadband service — 48%

Yes, but under tight financial regulation at the state or federal level — 8%