18 Mar Cape Cod Chronicle: Towns Not Equipped For Internet Service
By Tim Wilkerson
The recent article on internet service on the Cape (“Select Board Hears About Options To Improve Internet Service,” March 11) leaves the impression that providers have left the residents of Orleans disconnected. In reality, Cape Cod is a success story with over 99 percent of homes and businesses having access to broadband connectivity.
Private broadband providers have a long track record of connecting Cape Cod residents and businesses. Nationally, they spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually to continuously innovate and invest in new technology, and greater network capacity, security and resiliency. As a result, private broadband networks are performing well and meeting the increased demand for services during the pandemic. Adding a government program on top of high-performing networks is not just unnecessary, but a risk to taxpayers considering the budgetary impact and lack of success among prior attempts at public-owned networks in New England.