[10896] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: The FCC strikes the Internet (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Miles R Fidelman)
Mon Mar 14 01:25:12 1994
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 1994 21:02:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Miles R Fidelman <fidelman@civicnet.org>
To: Karl Denninger <karl@mcs.com>
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
In-Reply-To: <m0pg0uu-000BZkC@mercury.mcs.com>
Based on the last thread of messages, I think I'd better clarify something:
Neither I, nor The Center for Civic Networking, have ever espoused a
position in favor of mandated, flat-rate email service. I/we agree with
those who point out that cheap email is already a reality.
Rather, we have espoused a goal of universal, cheap, flat-rate IP service.
Regarding specific policies:
We strongly believe that low-cost, flat-rate, local loop service is the
key bottleneck to low-cost IP service for residences and small
organizations. We also believe that regulatory action, probably at the
PUC level, is needed. If PUC authority is pre-empted in these issues,
then the focus shifts to the joint Federal-State boards envisioned in
HR3636 and S1822.
We have, at times, floated the notion that local exchange carriers should
be required to provide IP services -- but in light of some of the points
raised in discussions on this and other lists, we've backed away from
this notion, believing instead that unbundled local loop serices will
lead to third party provision of IP services; and that letting regulation
get too close to the Internet per se is a bad idea.
Miles Fidelman
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Miles R. Fidelman mfidelman@civicnet.org
Executive Director 91 Baldwin St. Charlestown MA 02129
The Center for Civic Networking 617-241-9205 fax: 617-241-5064
Check out our gopher server:
CCN - The Center for Civic Networking
on the list of all gopher servers in the world.
Information Infrastructure: Public Spaces for the 21st Century
Let's Start With: Internet Wall-Plugs Everywhere
Then We Can Worry About: "Switched, Interactive, Broadband Services"
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