Comments on: Robber barons of the internet http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/ by Jeff Jarvis Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:18:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: John Bransford http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-26229 John Bransford Fri, 20 Jan 2006 11:04:27 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-26229 Bell-headed ever further -South has had quite the year. They've spearheaded a <a href="http://www.johnbransford.net/wp/index.php/archives/2005/04/bell-headed-south/" rel="nofollow">campaign</a> of fear and intimidation against small town America with their wireless lawsuits. When the feds rebuffed their ridiculous petitions for protections they engaged in a campaign to lobby corrupt state legislatures to convince them to pass laws against their own people using wireless to address Bellsouth's crappy and nonexistent services. Further I think this effort was probably illegal on antitrust grounds. Obviously such behavior it is unethical if it isn't illegal. Bellsouth has a corporate policy against ethics. They <a href="http://www.johnbransford.net/wp/index.php/archives/2005/12/bell-hit-bottom-and-dig-south/" rel="nofollow">demonstrated</a> this in the aftermath of Katrina by reneging on an offer to donate an unused building to the people of New Orleans after learning the city was going to implement free wireless in an attempt to lure business back to their flood ravaged downtown. Now they've shown they are all for slowing down the speed of technological advancement with their anti-wireless campaigns. (Actually they are just slowing down their customer's access to technology services but nothing new there as they can't supply <a href="http://www.johnbransford.net/wp/index.php/archives/2005/12/an-open-question-to-bellsouth/" rel="nofollow">DSL </a>to their customers anyway.) But this latest is a new one. They want to turn back the clock. They want to revert to an era before the internet by destroying the internet and making arbitrary decisions as to who you would have access to on the net. They of course would decide based on whatever crazy, venal and ignorant criteria of the Bell-headed toward disaster-South management de jour. Bell-headed ever further -South has had quite the year. They’ve spearheaded a campaign of fear and intimidation against small town America with their wireless lawsuits. When the feds rebuffed their ridiculous petitions for protections they engaged in a campaign to lobby corrupt state legislatures to convince them to pass laws against their own people using wireless to address Bellsouth’s crappy and nonexistent services. Further I think this effort was probably illegal on antitrust grounds.
Obviously such behavior it is unethical if it isn’t illegal. Bellsouth has a corporate policy against ethics. They demonstrated this in the aftermath of Katrina by reneging on an offer to donate an unused building to the people of New Orleans after learning the city was going to implement free wireless in an attempt to lure business back to their flood ravaged downtown.
Now they’ve shown they are all for slowing down the speed of technological advancement with their anti-wireless campaigns. (Actually they are just slowing down their customer’s access to technology services but nothing new there as they can’t supply DSL to their customers anyway.) But this latest is a new one. They want to turn back the clock. They want to revert to an era before the internet by destroying the internet and making arbitrary decisions as to who you would have access to on the net. They of course would decide based on whatever crazy, venal and ignorant criteria of the Bell-headed toward disaster-South management de jour.

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Crying telco tears http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-25659 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Crying telco tears Tue, 17 Jan 2006 11:59:06 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-25659 [...] I don’t buy it. Last I heard — and I would love someone to give me fresh numbers — cable broadband services operated at better than a 40 percent margin. Now I’m not one of those who believes that regulating profit levels is necessarily good. But since broadband providers operate at best in a duopoly — since they benefit from regulation in government-granted franchises — the least we should have is transparency: How much do you clear on broadband, boys? Off with the hairshirts; they’re unbecoming. [...] [...] I don’t buy it. Last I heard — and I would love someone to give me fresh numbers — cable broadband services operated at better than a 40 percent margin. Now I’m not one of those who believes that regulating profit levels is necessarily good. But since broadband providers operate at best in a duopoly — since they benefit from regulation in government-granted franchises — the least we should have is transparency: How much do you clear on broadband, boys? Off with the hairshirts; they’re unbecoming. [...]

]]> By: Tom Evslin http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23661 Tom Evslin Sun, 08 Jan 2006 23:37:42 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23661 You're absolutely right. We can’t count on the FCC (or any other government agency). There clearly isn’t enough competition in the marketplace. This nonsense is not a problem in the UK where there is real competition among ISPs. And, ever since the baby Bells swallowed AT&T and MCI, not enough competition in Gucci Gulch where the lobbyists hang out. You’re absolutely right. We can’t count on the FCC (or any other government agency). There clearly isn’t enough competition in the marketplace. This nonsense is not a problem in the UK where there is real competition among ISPs.

And, ever since the baby Bells swallowed AT&T and MCI, not enough competition in Gucci Gulch where the lobbyists hang out.

]]> By: laurence haughton http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23441 laurence haughton Sat, 07 Jan 2006 19:23:29 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23441 Robert Feinman may be on to something when he writes "Seriously, there are times when governments can... at least offer an alternative which keeps private companies on their toes." I'm thinking about the USPS and how really good their service is and what a value they represent. They certainly should be a factor keeping Fed-X, UPS, etc on their toes. But I don't know anything about their subsidy system (if any). That could change my opinion. But at this time Robert the example of the USPS has pursuaded this "libertarian and free marketeer." Robert Feinman may be on to something when he writes “Seriously, there are times when governments can… at least offer an alternative which keeps private companies on their toes.” I’m thinking about the USPS and how really good their service is and what a value they represent. They certainly should be a factor keeping Fed-X, UPS, etc on their toes.

But I don’t know anything about their subsidy system (if any). That could change my opinion.

But at this time Robert the example of the USPS has pursuaded this “libertarian and free marketeer.”

]]> By: Jeff V http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23403 Jeff V Sat, 07 Jan 2006 12:47:56 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23403 I know the argument over municipal wireless and strong pros and cons. However, Oakland County in Michigan just started installing its free wi-fi project. When it is done in 2007, it will blanket 910 square miles. The free speed is a little slower than DSL, but there will be higher speed plans that can be purchased. Interestingly, it is a telco called MichTel that is doing the work. The county is not spending any money on the project; it's just granting access to towers and other assets it owns (along with the cities) for installation of the nodes. The company believes it will make enough money by people paying for the higher speeds. I know the argument over municipal wireless and strong pros and cons. However, Oakland County in Michigan just started installing its free wi-fi project. When it is done in 2007, it will blanket 910 square miles. The free speed is a little slower than DSL, but there will be higher speed plans that can be purchased.
Interestingly, it is a telco called MichTel that is doing the work. The county is not spending any money on the project; it’s just granting access to towers and other assets it owns (along with the cities) for installation of the nodes. The company believes it will make enough money by people paying for the higher speeds.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23205 Stephen Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:54:35 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23205 Unfortunately the potential for new content and applications and cheaper service in the mobile & wifi market is constantly being squashed by the large telecoms. Verizon lobbied Harri$burg and got first dibs on any proposed municipal wide network and the opportunity to prevent any competition. I really dont care who owns it (the Feds have access to it all) my objection is that I know what they have in Europe and Asia is 100 times as good as we have here when you compare functionality and content. Even Findland is two years ahead of the US! There is a huge US market for developers and content providers IF there are more competitors and we can allow ONE open source protcol to become the vehicle for innovation. Unfortunately the potential for new content and applications and cheaper service in the mobile & wifi market is constantly being squashed by the large telecoms. Verizon lobbied Harri$burg and got first dibs on any proposed municipal wide network and the opportunity to prevent any competition.

I really dont care who owns it (the Feds have access to it all) my objection is that I know what they have in Europe and Asia is 100 times as good as we have here when you compare functionality and content. Even Findland is two years ahead of the US! There is a huge US market for developers and content providers IF there are more competitors and we can allow ONE open source protcol to become the vehicle for innovation.

]]> By: Soldier's Dad http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23143 Soldier's Dad Fri, 06 Jan 2006 20:55:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23143 Jeff wrote: "The laws in Pennsylvania and elsewhere that prevent local governments from delivering wireless bandwidth should be revoked." I'll take a middle road view. The exclusive contracts that had been offered to Teleco's and Cable Companies were in exchange for a "must serve" policy. "That farm house, 12 miles from the center of town had to get cable TV if anyone was going to get cable TV." The private cable companies understandably wanted and received some protection in the most lucrative areas, if they were going to be forced to run 12 miles a cable to get a single customer. An analysis of which communities should and should not offer wireless services should be taken on a community by community basis. The wireless in my office building is provided as a free service by the coffee shop across the street. Sooner or later the telco's and cable companies will come to the conclusion that the cheapest way to offer last mile access will be wireless. Jeff wrote:

“The laws in Pennsylvania and elsewhere that prevent local governments from delivering wireless bandwidth should be revoked.”

I’ll take a middle road view. The exclusive contracts that had been offered to Teleco’s and Cable Companies were in exchange for a “must serve” policy. “That farm house, 12 miles from the center of town had to get cable TV if anyone was going to get cable TV.” The private cable companies understandably wanted and received some protection in the most lucrative areas, if they were going to be forced to run 12 miles a cable to get a single customer.

An analysis of which communities should and should not offer wireless services should be taken on a community by community basis. The wireless in my office building is provided as a free service by the coffee shop across the street. Sooner or later the telco’s and cable companies will come to the conclusion that the cheapest way to offer last mile access will be wireless.

]]> By: KirkH http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23135 KirkH Fri, 06 Jan 2006 20:21:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23135 I agree with Feinman that allowing governments to enter the market would be the opposite of the competition required to fix the problem. If municipalities run my ISP and receive Federal funding I'll be forced to unplug my webcam. If I'm Sprint and I'm thinking of rolling out Fiber in Springfield and hear that the city can simply cut rates and raise taxes to cover the loss, I'm dropping my shovel. I agree with Feinman that allowing governments to enter the market would be the opposite of the competition required to fix the problem. If municipalities run my ISP and receive Federal funding I’ll be forced to unplug my webcam.

If I’m Sprint and I’m thinking of rolling out Fiber in Springfield and hear that the city can simply cut rates and raise taxes to cover the loss, I’m dropping my shovel.

]]> By: Robert Feinman http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23127 Robert Feinman Fri, 06 Jan 2006 19:46:22 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23127 Jeff wrote: <blockquote>The laws in Pennsylvania and elsewhere that prevent local governments from delivering wireless bandwidth should be revoked.</blockquote> Isn't that municipal ownership of utilities? Isn't that so 19th Century when many cities owned their power plants? The next thing you'll be proposing is restoring water to municipalities instead of private water companies. Seriously, there are times when governments can do a better job at providing services, or can at least offer an alternative which keeps private companies on their toes. Now pursuade the libertarians and free marketeers. Jeff wrote:

The laws in Pennsylvania and elsewhere that prevent local governments from delivering wireless bandwidth should be revoked.

Isn’t that municipal ownership of utilities? Isn’t that so 19th Century when many cities owned their power plants? The next thing you’ll be proposing is restoring water to municipalities instead of private water companies.

Seriously, there are times when governments can do a better job at providing services, or can at least offer an alternative which keeps private companies on their toes. Now pursuade the libertarians and free marketeers.

]]> By: laurence haughton http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23123 laurence haughton Fri, 06 Jan 2006 19:18:42 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23123 They (the telecoms) knew voice over internet protocol (like Skype) was coming since the late 90's. They also knew the value of their assets (last mile copper wire) were going to become almost valueless in the battle for customers. (I have the report in my hands.) They choose to ignore it rather than reinvent themselves. Why? Lots of reasons we've seen and reported on before. But the fact that they could still count on our government to enforce their monopoly was IMHO one of the prime factors. On the horizon is high speed Internet via other last mile connection (like powerlines and wireless) and tons of dark fiber connections just waiting in the wings. This won't work unless we let the politicians kill the new competition. They (the telecoms) knew voice over internet protocol (like Skype) was coming since the late 90’s. They also knew the value of their assets (last mile copper wire) were going to become almost valueless in the battle for customers. (I have the report in my hands.) They choose to ignore it rather than reinvent themselves. Why? Lots of reasons we’ve seen and reported on before.

But the fact that they could still count on our government to enforce their monopoly was IMHO one of the prime factors.

On the horizon is high speed Internet via other last mile connection (like powerlines and wireless) and tons of dark fiber connections just waiting in the wings. This won’t work unless we let the politicians kill the new competition.

]]> By: Mike NYC http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23109 Mike NYC Fri, 06 Jan 2006 18:01:37 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/robber-barons-of-the-internet/#comment-23109 That's so great. I'm jealous! That’s so great. I’m jealous!

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