ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Albuquerque is working on a plan to create a new high-speed Internet network in the city. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the effort includes finding private companies that would build and operate a broadband service for residents and businesses.
The project would start along Central Avenue and include free Wi-Fi service, with $1 million from bond funding available to help start the project. Mayor Richard Berry says the project would spur economic development, particularly in companies that transmit huge amounts of data. Those could include architectural firms and companies that do post-production work on movies.
Current Internet service providers are expressing concern, saying that they've already invested in making high-speed service available. Comcast spokeswoman Cindy Parsons says competition benefits consumers but that government-backed networks distort the marketplace.
