Edison, NJ has big ambitions to establish a municipal broadband network, securing a $2 million state grant for the endeavor. Yet, serious questions linger about the project’s long-term feasibility and the potential financial burden it could pose to local taxpayers.
Residents and even some Township Council members are expressing skepticism. The high costs of building and managing an entirely new internet infrastructure are significant. Concerns exist that Edison could become the state’s first municipality to initiate its own broadband network, a high-risk proposition without established, successful blueprints to follow.
Councilman Richard Brescher bluntly states, “I don’t see the feasibility in it. I haven’t seen the business plan for it yet. There are people on this dais and in the administration that think that they are Thomas Edison or Elon Musk, I think this is going nowhere unless I see a business plan that makes sense and the numbers make sense. To me this seems like a scam,”
Evidence supporting the project’s financial viability is scarce. Critics argue that even successful municipal broadband projects, like the oft-cited Chattanooga, Tennessee, may not be as profitable as claimed. They believe hidden capital costs and operational expenses often obscure the true financial picture.
Just as Edison finalizes its plan, Comcast Xfinity has announced its expanding services into the township. This private provider will bring enhanced competition and upgraded infrastructure to the area. Its presence raises legitimate questions about the necessity and desirability of a taxpayer-funded municipal network.
Some residents and council members believe improving relationships with existing providers, like Comcast Xfinity, may be a more fiscally responsible path. This approach could offer enhanced service and competition with minimal risk to Edison taxpayers.
Edison’s municipal broadband project faces numerous challenges. The long-term financial viability is unclear, leaving taxpayers exposed to potential losses. With private sector competitors improving their regional offerings, residents and council members must carefully consider whether this endeavor serves the township’s best interests.
