Comcast enjoys an effective monopoly over internet service in Vermont and it’s about to get an 11-year extension to its permit to use billions of dollars’ worth of public rights of way in the state, and in return, the state has asked Comcast to roll out at least 550 miles of new cable for “under-served” Vermonters over the 11 years.
The company isn’t having any of it. Despite earning $21 billion/quarter and despite its emphatic belief (backed by aggressive lobbying) that only Comcast – and not states or towns – should be allowed to provide internet access to remote areas, the company has sued the State of Vermont, arguing that being told to provide the internet service it has a near-monopoly on violates its First Amendment rights.
