City-owned fiber network a go as judge tosses telco lawsuit

A judge has dismissed a telco's entire lawsuit against a Minnesota community that decided to build its own fiber-to-the-home network.

The argument by the company (Bridgewater Telephone Co., also known as TDS Telecom) was dismissed...the city has the authority to use the money for public services, such as a high-speed network. The city used revenue bonds to finance its project. Revenue bonds are traditionally used by communities to pay for public infrastructure or community improvements...if the projects are considered a convenience for the public. They are sold to investors after being approved by voters in a referendum.

(If your "public utility" won't upgrade, do it without them!)

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