> I want it deregulated and opened up to very serious competition. I also want our government to build reliable infrastructure (fiber) as much as is possible.
I'm not surprised that you feel torn. Those desires are in direct contradiction with each other.
Even if you're referring to splitting infra from service, there will still be regulation. You'll also see law enforcement becoming very interested in the fact that interconnects and the last mile are now government property.
I wish we could have more separation of government entities.
Community internet could/should be owned by the community, separate from the government.
It could be structured as a private company, where shares are only owned by people within the community and then they have voting rights. Still community owned, but very separate from the more general government.
Interestingly this would also allow community members to invest in their own internet infrastructure directly.
This is how many municipal electrical utilities are operated. Essentially as independently run entities. It's actually worth pointing out that many government bodies are overseen by politically appointees (library boards, parking commissions, liquor control boards, etc.) creating a space in which civil servants are working with much more direct civilian oversight. As lampooned as this is in comedy (see Parks and Rec or Yes Minister), it's generally a fairly effective check against what you are speaking of. My library, for example, has a fairly robust law enforcement inquiry policy set by its board.
I'm not surprised that you feel torn. Those desires are in direct contradiction with each other.
Even if you're referring to splitting infra from service, there will still be regulation. You'll also see law enforcement becoming very interested in the fact that interconnects and the last mile are now government property.