Hey there,
We all know that ISP monopolies are terrible. One of the reasons that many of us are
involved in Sudo Mesh/People's Open Network is because we want to create a
community-owned, open-source alternative to privatized corporate internet infrastructure.
We're part of a coalition of organizations and local ISPs (Media Alliance, EFF,
Greenlining Institute, Monkeybrains, Sonic) that are working to ensure that landlords
can't get in the way of Oakland residents choosing their internet provider of choice.
Specifically, it's about landlords not making exclusive marketing agreements or
revenue sharing schemes with the likes of Comcast or AT&T in their buildings. But we
also helped propose language in the Oakland ordinance so that it would protect tenants
when they have a People's Open Net node installed on their building. (For more
context, see this blog post on the EFF website:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/02/oakland-renters-deserve-quality-servi…
(
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/02/oakland-renters-deserve-quality-servi…)
and this one:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/12/hardwood-floors-natural-light-and-rig…)
(
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/12/hardwood-floors-natural-light-and-rig…)
IF YOU LIVE IN OAKLAND please fill out this survey about your experience with ISP choice —
it'll take only 3~10 minutes >>>
https://www.eff.org/oakland-isp-payola
(
https://www.eff.org/oakland-isp-payola)
These anecdotes of how people have experience restrictions on their choosing their ISP
will help us make the case to Oakland officials to support this ordinance. We already have
some allies in City Hall but having concrete stories of what this law could do would be
incredibly helpful.
Thanks a whole bunch.
Mai