This story was first posted yesterday 6/17/2021 on the Facebook page, here because the site was down for about 36 hours getting some updates, renovations to its core. We Back Now though.
So, the KUB Board met this morning and within about an hour votes to create a Fiber division aka Broadband Service. Knoxville City Council must now approve it. Erin Gill with Mayor Indya Kincannon’s administration spoke and said that 90% of 300 people that have opined is Great.
as the KUB adjourned on 6/17/2021
KUB has had the blessing of Mayor Kincannon and the Union County Mayor. But, KUB has not gotten the blessing of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and I am told KUB hasn’t really sought his opinion except to say this is what we are thinking.
Erin Gill of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon’s administration at the 6/17/2021 KUB meeting
On June 14, Mayor Jacobs had set up a meeting with providers (which included KUB) Comcast and Windstream attended but NOT KUB. They (KUB) had a meeting in East Knoxville that evening at the Change Center, so that might have been the reason for ditching the Mayor.
I was told that (Compass Knox reported this morning) Comcast intended to present a private/public proposal to the board today. What they reportedly shared with Mayor Jacobs. Comcast was not on this mornings Board meeting. Still trying to find out details on that.
But, enter Amy Martin President of the TN Cable and Broadband Association.
“The Board’s vote today is premature. To ensure the best decisions are made on behalf of the community, it’s important to consider alternative ways to get the latest broadband technology to everyone in our community. Additionally, safeguards must be put into place when a government utility competes with private business.”
“KUB should not be allowed to use its market power as a monopoly utility to put private jobs at risk. Rather than pursuing the sort of public-private partnership that has quickly and cost-effectively brought broadband service to thousands of unserved rural community homes and businesses in Tennessee, KUB’s broadband buildout will take years to complete and increase electric bills by almost 10 percent.”
“When cable companies partner with the state and local communities, we’ve shown it’s possible to expeditiously and cost-effectively deliver advanced broadband services where the need is vital. That’s the better approach.”
