Bernie Sanders unveils plan to break up telecom companies and launch universal broadband access

[MineralMan]

13. Once again, a plan without a real, plausible plan.

The telecom companies were broken up decades ago, only to remerge later. The cable companies have monopolies based on contracts with cities all across the country. They're providing the internet connectivity, too, along with entertainment via TV. A few cities have set up broadband systems, as well, but not mine, so I don't know how those are doing, really.

Wireless broadband will have to be how broadband is provided really. Systems that rely on wire or fiber optic cables already exist, but are owned by the cable companies, for the most part. Taking those by the government would cause a huge uproar and probably would not pass muster in the courts.

Telecom is now all cellular. 5G service is being set up now, in major metro areas, and by whom? Verizon, AT&T and other corporate interests. How will the federal government take over those networks? Again, the process in court will be long and difficult if it is tried.

Duplicating what corporations have already put in place isn't in the cards. Truly, it isn't.

So, Bernie Sanders can propose whatever he wants. Making it happen, on the other hand, isn't so simple and involves legal challenges that will tie it all up for at least a decade. It's a good campaign promise, but i'm not sure it will garner him enough votes to succeed.