More from the 79th session of the Texas legislature today, also known as the longest running April Fools joke of all time, concerning bill HB 789; which, if passed, would make it impossible for municipalities in Texas to start Wi-fi programs in libraries, parks, and other public places. The bill has garnered support from many representatives, including Rep. Phil King (the bill’s sponsor) and wireless broadband provider SBC, who feel that free municipal Wi-fi is directly competing with businesses whose job it is to deliver wireless internet. As Rep. King puts it, “No business should have to compete with public tax dollars.”
The thing is: SBC, although they may think otherwise, does not own the Internet. Nor do they own the radio waves used by wireless internet or the air in which they reside. These things are in fact owned by the people via the government. If offering Wi-fi in public places infringes on SBC’s right to free-market competition then the world must have gone mad without me noticing. To even remotely compete with businesses then the city would have to offer Wi-fi as a for-profit program. Something which no city has ever done or, as far as I know, planned to do.
But they’re still making a big deal about it. Come on guys, the joke’s not funny anymore.

Text of HB 789 [PDF]
Phil King Still Confused [SaveMuniWireless.org]