AT&T teamed up with ALEC to pass a law in South Carolina making it virtually impossible for local governments to provide broadband internet service. Read about it here, and be sure to see the featured comment at the end.

AT&T successfully lobbied for statewide cable franchises in Tennessee, cutting out local government middlemen and their contracts and franchise fees, along with their control of service quality, build-out requirements and right of way. How's that working out for you? I still have exactly one cable provider option, which is also my only broadband internet option. AT&T is nowhere to be seen, not even DSL, even though they were invited to compete locally.