There are a number of other factors that are important in influencing broadband deployment by local Governments.  These include the policy of National Governments and the aspirations of local Governments.  It is clear from the policy objectives of the National Governments in Sweden and the Netherlands, that there is considerable support for Municipal Governments becoming involved in the deployment of FTTH systems, which provide open access to all suppliers. 

 
However, recent actions by the European Community could result in modifications to its national policy and those of other EC members on broadband deployment. In response to complaints lodged by existing telecommunications providers with the European Union, an investigation is now underway over whether this deployment would represent a violation of State Aid rules, as the community is currently served by existing carriers

 
The situation is very different in the U.S. where there are some 20 states[xxv] that have either passed or introduced legislation that either prohibits Municipal Governments from deploying local access networks or puts significant impediments in the way.  This is despite the fact that there is substantial support for this type of deployment by both local Governments and the citizens they serve.

 
Support by National Governments in the form of policy that help foster local access network development is a critical factor as evidenced by the experience in Poland, where it encouraged village telephone committees to establish rural telephone systems. Two very successful ventures have been the Wist and Tyczyn Telecommunications Cooperatives that were established with financing from donor organisations and the local community.[xxvi]

 
As will be discussed in later chapters, the availability of funding and delivery mechanisms is critical to the deployment of municipal networks.  Innovative funding solutions, such as public-private partnerships, are becoming more important as evidenced by initiatives like Wireless Philadelphia, West Virginia First, and Manassas, Virginia.  This is particularly true in the case of FTTH systems, which are much more costly and take more time to deploy than wireless.

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