The issue will soon be in front of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors. But the whole notion of open access is riddled with contradictions. Forced competition is unlikely to lead to a healthy marketplace serving consumers' needs. That's because if rival firms get a free ride on their competitors' infrastructure, neither party has an incentive to upgrade and expand. If new technologies are to develop and grow, companies must be sure that the gains of their investments will not be handed over to competitors by well-meaning, but misguided governments.
Broadband access is big business.
By 2008, Goldman Sachs estimates that 73 million households will use one of the potential broadband services. Cable is clearly not the only option that consumers can or will choose to get their high-speed kicks. With all this competition present and on the horizon, government-enforced open access makes about as much sense as pouring water into the Pacific Ocean. Even limited competition is already producing cost-savings for consumers. If left alone, these market trends will continue.