Verizon exec: Broadband is vital infrastructure

"I think broadband infrastructure is as important as highways and airports and any other type of infrastructure the state needs, now and for the future," said Timothy J. McCallion, Verizon regional president.

McCallion, quoted in this Sacramento Bee article today on the multi-million dollar lobbying battle between telcos and cable companies over video franchise rules, is absolutely correct. Wonder if his competition, AT&T, gets this?

So far, there's no indication that it does in El Dorado County, where large areas of the county remain relegated to dial up and unable to get broadband Internet access. If AT&T can't or won't deliver this vital part of the county's infrastructure, perhaps Verizon will.