[IP] More on: Rendell caves and signs HB30 - Verizon can prevent municipal networks statewide
I consider this to be a very very important topic and will continue to
send relevant mailings on it
Dave
ps I am looking for someone who can defend the law
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brett Glass <brett@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 2, 2004 9:57:59 AM EST
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx, Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] More on: Rendell caves and signs HB30 - Verizon can
prevent municipal networks statewide
(For IP, if you'd like)
Dave:
I think that the point which most people are missing in this discussion
is as
follows: The reason Verizon and the other telcos are so concerned about
municipal networks is not the potential for government subsidies; it is
that
such networks would foil their attempts to regain a stranglehold on the
"last mile".
If a municipality builds and operates a network which allows any
provider to
"hop on" and deliver bandwidth and services, it is analogous to -- and
as
beneficial as -- maintaining local streets, which can be used by
anyone to operate a trucking company, a delivery service, etc. While it
is
probably not a good idea for the municipality to get into the trucking
business, it's a fine idea for it to maintain the streets. Could you
imagine
what it would be like if all of your local streets were toll roads
operated
by private delivery companies that wouldn't let other companies'
vehicles
use them? The situation that's currently evolving -- now that the FCC
seems
to be doing all it can to allow the ILECs to evict competitors from the
network for which the public paid under the Bell System -- is analogous.
One particular benefit of a shared municipal wireless network is that it
can help to ameliorate the problems caused by a lack of available RF
spectrum. There are only three non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels, shared
by untold millions of devices, and there is no protection against
interference. If each would-be bandwidth provider operates its own
access
points, the airwaves can quickly become overcrowded. And because anyone,
anywhere can fire up a transmitter, it is impossible to guarantee
reliable
service under the current FCC Part 15 rules. A shared network overcomes
this problem by reducing the number of systems which must operate
simultaneously
on the same band -- and also by providing better coverage than
individual
providers can afford. It also lowers entry costs; there's no need to
invest
in a capital-intensive network to get a new service up and running.
This is what the ILECs fear. Their goals are to re-monopolize the local
loop
and to forestall competition by ensuring -- to the extent that they can
--
that few or no other players can provide similar coverage or reliable
service.
They have successfully done this in Pennsylvania and will no doubt try
elsewhere.
And clueless or well bought politicians -- alas -- may let them.
--Brett Glass
-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To manage your subscription, go to
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/