Burlington Telecom (BT) was created in response to a specific failure of the "market" - a single company, Adelphia, had a monopoly on providing cable and high-speed cable internet to Burlington. With an unchallenged monopoly, Adelphia had little to no incentive to keep rates affordable, provide decent customer service, or invest in infrastructure for the future. Since the establishment of BT, Adelphia's successor company, Comcast, has been forced to provide competitive service. However, if BT is sold to Comcast, or to a private, for-profit company which could easily be bought by Comcast, we risk returning to the days of a Big Cable monopoly.

BT has provided, and in the right hands can continue to provide, significant economic benefits to Burlington. BT provides our city with a world-class fiber-optic network, locally owned with a mission to drive economic prosperity for the community, not to enrich shareholders.

In the 21st century, internet access is a crucial public utility. Much like roads, schools, or electric power, it is in everyone's interest that everyone in the community have access to it, so they can access information, engage in economic activity, and participate in community life.