[IP] more on A Clash of Principles in Philly
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brett Glass <brett@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 7, 2004 1:46:16 PM EST
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx, Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] A Clash of Principles in Philly
Robert Poe of America's Network (a magazine which caters to the
interests
of incumbent local exchange carriers) writes:
The words "idealistic" and "industry" don't often appear side by side
in a sentence. But in reality, the telecommunications industry is one
whose products almost universally benefit people ‹ unlike, say, the
donut industry.
In other words, "What's good for Verizon is good for the country."
Where have we heard
similar words before? ;-)
[SNIP]
The dispute revolved around a proposed Pennsylvania state law, two
years in the making, that would prohibit government entities at any
level from offering public broadband services without first giving
private providers the chance to do so.
Alas, Mr. Poe misrepresents the law here. The law specifically gives
ONLY the incumbent
local exchange carrier -- not competitive local exchange carriers,
cable services, or
wireless ISPs -- the right of first refusal. Thus, it protects only one
company: Verizon.
What's more, it does not require that the ILEC actually be providing,
or have plans to
provide, such services. The ILEC only needs to have a "network
modernization plan" somewhere
in the state -- perhaps in another city.
--Brett Glass
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