Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to fiberguy
Re: Gimmie A Break
The problem is, the government created the mess in the first place, allowing private companies to build networks on public ROWs. You can't have a free market when one competitor owns the marketplace, unless that competitor is forced to share the marketplace distribution that is un-reproducible. If every competitor were allowed to build their own network, then we could have a "free" market system in communications. Of course we also wouldn't be able to see the sky anymore through the tangle of network wires.
So there are two solutions. Either network owners aren't allowed to compete with content providers. Or network owners are required to give fair access to all service providers, especially those they compete with. Currently this is enforced through public interest, and the threat of government intervention; public interest in communications is pretty fickle though, and won't maintain the current status quo.
Imagine if one retail company bought all the commercial space (including internet access) in your state. Then decided to only sell their products. "Sorry we don't make Cheerios or light bulbs, you won't be able to buy those from now on." Of course a black market would be created selling Cheerios and light bulbs at huge mark-ups. A black market in communication networks is just not possible. |
