AT&T CEO seems confident industry can kill Biden?s municipal broadband plan

But as AT&T and other ISPs lobby against public networks and government-funded competition, Stankey said he is confident that Congress will steer legislation in the more "pragmatic" direction that AT&T favors.In an interview with The Economic Club of Washington, DC, (video), Stankey was asked, "Do you support the president's proposal to have municipalities own broadband facilities?" Stankey responded, "I think actually the president's proposal is probably a bit misguided in that regard.""It would be a shame that we take taxpayer money or ask local governments to go into a business that they don't run today," Stankey said. "I don't believe that policy is really practical and I actually believe that most policymakers that are in the sausage-making right now are seeing that and are probably steering this in a more pragmatic direction, in my view," he said.In March, Biden proposed spending $100 billion over eight years to bring high-speed broadband to all Americans who lack access, with the plan "prioritiz[ing] support for broadband networks owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments, non-profits, and co-operatives—providers with less pressure to turn profits and with a commitment to serving entire communities."That "commitment to serving entire communities" is important because private providers focus on building in the most profitable areas while municipal providers strive for universal service. If Democrats try to devote funding to municipal networks, broadband-industry lobby groups and Republicans will do their best to redirect the money to private companies instead.You must login or create an account to comment.Join the Ars Orbital Transmission mailing list to get weekly updates delivered to your inbox.