"The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States' primary authority for communications laws, regulation and technological innovation."

Exactly what part of that means the FCC has no place in regulating internet access?

> I could see localities getting started by using a wireless mesh with their help

That would be illegal in NC, the law the FCC was challenging explicitly states "it is against the public policy of this State for any unit, department, or agency of the State, or any division or subdivision of a unit, department, or agency of the State to engage directly or indirectly in the sale of goods, wares or merchandise in competition with citizens of the State and Whereas, to protect jobs and to promote investment, it is necessary to ensure that the State does not indirectly subsidize competition with private industry through actions by cities and to ensure that where there is competition between the private sector and the State, directly or through its subdivisions, it exists under a framework that does not discourage private investment and job creation"

The fact that Time Warner wrote the law and got it passed would be hilarious if it wasn't so disgusting.