The Washington Post is reporting this morning that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is circulating among his colleagues a draft order that will free localities in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee from anti-competition state statutes that prevent towns and cities from building or enabling new, state-of-the-art broadband networks.

In our view and experience, these statutes are frequently written or lobbied by incumbent phone and cable companies, and amount to pure protectionism for monopolists and duopolists who prefer not to face competition.

CTC commends Chairman Wheeler for his insight that local broadband initiatives are essential to enable the deployment of advanced communications capabilities to all Americans. And we commend the City of Wilson, North Carolina and the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, TN for their courage and perseverance in bringing these issues before the FCC.

View the Washington Post story here.