[IP] more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
Begin forwarded message:
From: Gerry Faulhaber <gerry-faulhaber@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 16, 2004 12:48:27 AM GMT+01:00
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power
lines
Dave [for IP, if you like]---
Re: Brett Glass' reaction to BPL:
"...three large, entrenched monopolies"? Just a reminder: monopoly
means one firm, not three. Which is generally more competitive than
two. Which firms (cable and telco) seem to be pretty rivalrous, at
least here in Philadelphia. I welcome this third potential entrant,
although it is not my experience that power distribution companies are
terrifically innovative. BPL has the potential to bring to broadband
market what AT&T Wireless brought to the cellular market: sharp and
intense price/feature competition. That's why Powell's high on this,
and it's why I'm high on it.
It seems to me the FCC is moving relatively quickly to get remaining
spectrum either into the market or into some form of commons (Part 15
spectrum), for purposes of wireless broadband (which the FCC has been
championing for years: MMDS, etc.). Of course "quickly" for any
government agency means pretty long, but they are definitely working
the problem, despite Mr. Glass' moaning.
Not getting spectrum out at prices ISPs can afford for wireless BB? Is
the FCC supposed to be the ISPs mommy? The licensed spectrum will go
at auction and those who value it most will get it. If ISPs think it's
valuable for wireless BB that will be reflected in their bids. If they
don't, they won't, and they'll be out of the game. They are running
with the Big Dogs; if they can't keep up, tough. I'm high on wireless
BB; we're seeing just the beginning with Verizon Wireless' currently
national rollout of 1xEVDO; when Intel gets its WiMax trucks rolling,
that'll blow the market wide open.
And complaining that WiFi is in Part 15 spectrum so that there is
potential interference from cordless phones? Good God, the tech
community has been championing commons spectrum, telling us how
technology will solve the interference problem. And now we are whining
that there's interference at 2.4 GHz? No kidding; what do you think
happens in a commons? Rather than whining that ISPs don't have
dedicated spectrum for BB, why not actually implement the tech
community's claim to be able to solve interference with appropriate
hardware/software protocols so we can use commons/Part 15 spectrum?
Professor Gerald R. Faulhaber
Business and Public Policy Dept.
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
----- Original Message ----- From: "David Farber" <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Ip" <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 5:46 PM
Subject: [IP] more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brett Glass <brett@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 15, 2004 3:44:57 PM GMT+01:00
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx, Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
David:
The truly sad thing about this development is that -- as with
telephone and cable lines -- the FCC is opting to give utility
monopolies the ability to prevent other providers from using their
facilities. Thus, in many cases, a consumer may have a choice between
at most three large, entrenched monopolies when seeking wired
broadband service, and in most cases only one or two. At the same
time, the FCC is continuing to hobble wireless broadband by refusing
to reserve spectrum exclusively for that purpose or provide licensed
spectrum that it is practical for ISPs to buy. This means that
wireless cannot be competitive in terms of reliability. A cordless
phone can, without warning, disrupt Internet service to an entire
building or even to the entire area served by an ISP's wireless access
point.
If things continue on their present course, the FCC will be awarding
to large, entrenched, rapacious corporations a monopoly on reliable
broadband access. Good for the GOP's corporate patrons, but bad for
the rest of us.
--Brett Glass
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