NoGovInternet Launches Campaign Against Government-Owned Broadband in Utah

November 16, 2023

Today, NoGovInternet.com announced a campaign to defend Utahans from the unneeded, unwanted expansion of government-owned networks like UTOPIA. City-run networks put taxpayers, city budgets, bond-ratings, and consumers at risk.


In a press statement, the campaign said, “The track record of these government-owned networks is disrupted service, higher taxes and fees, lower government bond ratings, years-long wait times, and fleeced taxpayers. Oftentimes, these assets are sold off to private companies for pennies per tax dollar invested.”


“Despite the failure of these city-owned networks, some bureaucrats and politicians continue to seek city, state, and federal tax dollars on a big-government agenda to own the network.’ When government owns the network, it also owns the internet. This is an affront to our principles of free market capitalism and poses a threat to our individual liberties and personal freedoms.”


“Over the course of the next six weeks, we will run a seven-figure statewide media campaign to educate the public on the failure of these government-owned networks and the dangers of a government-owned internet. We are appealing to citizens, activists of all political parties, elected officials, thought leaders, think tanks – indeed, everyone who believes that the private marketplace is more reliable, capable, and dependable to manage a free, safe and secure internet than cities and government bureaucracy.”


No Gov Internet’s first television ad can be viewed here: “Not What They Do


More information is available at NoGovInternet.com.

September 8, 2025
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August 20, 2025
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October 10, 2024
No Gov Internet Spokesperson penned an op-ed for the St. George News. The letter asks a critical question: should we risk millions of taxpayer dollars on a venture that could compromise essential public services?
October 4, 2024
Missed our event in St. George on 9/28?
June 4, 2024
Former Speaker of Utah House Greg Hughes appeared on the “Political as Heck Utah” podcast to discuss his role in the NoGovInternet Campaign. In part, Hughes said, “It’s a 501(c)(4) campaign meant to really educate people because a lot of times when UTOPIA or one of these companies comes to a city council, which have constituents who would like better service, the version of life that they’re giving—there is a lot more to the story. At least more details and information that the public, and even those mayors and city council members ought to be aware of before making a big decision to get into debt and get into that lane as a city to provide internet infrastructure.” Listen to the full discussion starting at the 4:35 mark here .
April 22, 2024
Utah State Auditor John Dougall penned an op-ed for the Deseret News, calling out the harm that government-owned internet has inflicted on taxpayers in his state. In the op-ed, Dougall wrote, "The number of government-owned networks is increasing by the day, and taxpayers, not users, are often footing the bill. Government-owned broadband networks cost millions of dollars and divert essential funding away from services that really matter to the public — services such as police and fire, roads, water and sewer... Public officials across the country, and especially here in Utah, should resist the appealing allure of expanding or deploying government-owned networks, which allure has been shown to be deceptive, and ultimately destructive, to taxpayers." Read the auditor's full commentary here .