Municipal Broadband War Reignited in Biden’s Infrastructure Push

President Joe Biden wants to make it easier for cities to build and operate their own broadband networks, in competition with companies like Comcast Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc., to expand internet access as part of his sweeping infrastructure proposal.

Biden’s push to override state restrictions on municipal networks renews a partisan fight over whether government-owned broadband networks can provide an affordable high-speed internet alternative to private carriers.

The president is proposing lifting barriers “that prevent municipally-owned or affiliated providers” from “competing on an even playing field with private providers,” the administration said in a summary.

Municipal broadband ...