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qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
| THERE AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH
All this hand-wringing over the "predatory" practices of BB companies is getting to be rather pedantic. Since I have to admit they (the CEOs) have some valid points.
But generally, we find it unfair that municipalities that regulate us, set our taxes, set our franchise fees, participate in running our company in some fashion also now want to compete with us, under a different set of rules.
These munis aren't simply saying, "Come on in the water's fine, we won't change you a penny". When it comes to taxes, fees, etc, politicians are like crack whores, there's no such thing as enough. You know damn well these munis are going to soak these companies for every damn penny they can, which means of course the BB companies are going to pass that right back to the consumer.
I'm surprised they just don't tell the munis "Fine you want to compete with us, then do it on an even basis. Stop charging us all these damn fees, and we'll stop interfering in your BB community plans."
Like I said, all this hand-wringing is getting tiresome. The BB community access furor is getting more and more of the flavor of the attitude of some Americans who think they are owed "something for nothing", or that BB access is some sort of "right". Which is another aspect of modern society, discovering new "rights" all the time.
Someone needs to remind people of Robert A. Heinleins's famous adage TANSTAAFL.
"THERE AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH"
Just because YOU don't pay, does not mean someone, somewhere else is paying.
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The idea that complex questions do not have simple answers is a meme propagated by those who have a vested interest, i.e; monetary, power, prestige or ego, in complexity. | |
moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD | Neither DSL nor cable internet access is regulated. Only the right of ways and the POTS access. | |
dg2
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Lowell, AR
 ·Cox HSI
| reply to qdemn7
But I'm already paying for lunch!
That may describe conditions in Fort Worth, qdemn, but out here away from the megopolis things look a little different.
I'm sure in Fort Worth you have a good choice of broadband providers - SBC, Sprint, Earthlink, and your local cable company at least. In that environment I would agree with you. However, out here (and in other areas like Lafayette, LA), Cox charged full rates for 1/4 service until October of last year. While I appreciate the recent upgrades, Cox only upgraded the service after months and months of "hand-wringing", and they started in Lafayette, where Cox and SBC have been battling a muni effort for months. (Go to the Cox forum and search for MAC references for more.)
Why the poor service? No competition. SBC will not activate RTs which have been physically in place and fully connected for months or years. Without the DSL pipe, Sprint, Earthlink, Speakeasy, and a host of others disappear as options. With a captive market, Cox didn't need to spend any money. That's a business decision.
What makes it unfair is that SBC and Cox seem to think they have a right to keep anyone else from stepping in "their territory" by offering service in markets Cox and SBC have deemed unworthy of their service. SBC won't serve? You have to respect their business decision. But don't try to start a muni, because that's unfair to SBC, who won't serve that market in the first place!
I say again to Cox and SBC - Put up or shut up. As for the free lunch, I'm already paying $40/month. I'm just looking for better service, not anything for free. (And I loved "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by the way. It's about time to read it again.  ) | |
tapeloop
1959. I try to kick the ball. I miss.
Premium
join:2004-06-27
Airstrip One
| reply to qdemn7
Re: THERE AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH
Like any good CEOs Ivan and Ed are quite adept at the 'smoke and mirrors' testimony.
What you and Seidenberg/Whitacre fail to mention is that Verizon/SBC doesn't even provide BB services to some of the areas affected by its outright muni bans. So preemptively usurping a community's right to provide broadband (or any utility) to its citizens--when private companies aren't providing said services--is okay in your book? (This is America right?)
And last time I went to vote, I didn't see either Verizon Inc. or SBC on the ballot. So they don't get to write any laws. Sorry.  | |
batageek
Slave To The Duopoly
Premium
join:2003-01-25
1 edit | reply to qdemn7
Ok wait just a minute....
Who regulates the telcos? Not the munis, but the FCC. This a a complete bs argument.
And to take it a step further, the munis are subject to the same federal & state taxes that any other CLEC has to pay.
As to franchises, give me a break. Franchises are the biggest joke of all because the cities are limited to what they can ask for and what they have rights to demand based again on what? The FCC.
Most cable franchises allow the ability to set the price on the base offering - you know, the package that no one takes (just local channels, etc.)
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