Earlier quoted context omitted.
I disagree. If that happens, a new solution will emerge to replace the telecoms. To name a few, decentralized DNS, open wifi, google fiber etc.
The United States is too big (in terms of population density) for a replacement solution to gain traction outside major metros without massive government subsidies. It's cool to think as techies we could come up with some massive disruption technology, but short of a super blue sky type project, our best bet to leave a better internet to our children is to throw money into tech lobbying.
The government hasn't spent nearly as much on infrastructure as private business yet far too many think that the same government who cannot maintain highways and bridges sufficiently would be best to handle the internet? Even city governments are scrambling to fix sewer and water systems they invested in ONCE and left to rot.
I still don't see the value in investing so much in broadband other than cellular. Wired solutions require far too much expense, meet more regulatory hurdles, and simply isn't quickly deployed. With all the small businesses available, let alone franchise businesses, there are millions of locations across this country to anchor transmitters. The big stumbling block is the cash to start it all.