Corporations vs Public Works
Dear readers, this is a very old story - usually a tactic to protect strategy decay, or to protect entry into a new market. In this case, it's Verizon versus a city which wants to build WiFi as a utility.
Another example: in the early 20th century, the car industry forced the shutdown of DC's local tram lines - which to this day people curse. A strategically misguided appeal to authority - the long-term opportunity cost is greater than the short term gains. The DC example highlights why - eventually, more bridges would have had to be build to accomodate cars *and* trams, which would have relieved congestion, which would have heightened demand.