[1900] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: The NREN and Regulation
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Bill Gunshannon)
Tue Jan 7 07:39:29 1992
From: Bill Gunshannon <bill@tuatara.uofs.edu>
To: scs@lokkur.dexter.mi.us, com-priv@psi.com
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 92 7:36:19 EST
Reply-To: bill@platypus.uofs.edu
In-Reply-To: <9201062248.AA00673@lokkur>; from "Steve Simmons" at Jan 6, 92 5:48 pm
>
> History provides a number of not-so-pretty examples of how unregulated
> utilities failed abysmally to service rural areas. If memory serves,
> the Rural Electrification Act was required to get electricity to farms,
> and the regulation of the phone companies was required to get telephone
> service.
History also provides examples of the failure of regulated utilities to
provide service where it wasn't deemed profitable. Here I am speaking
of the Cable TV Industry. Like the phone and electric companies, they
get a franchise that prevents competition. This has not resulted in
complete coverage. In my area alone, we have place within 5 miles of
the end of a cable run that have no service and no planned expansion
because the cable company doesn't see enough of a customer base to make
it worth their while to invest in the construction. And of course, due
to regulation, no other company could come in even if it saw the picture
differently.
>
> For the next few decades, a regulated carrier (or network of carriers)
> might well be the way to go.
One thing is sure, if the industry gets set up like the phone/electric/cable
industry, there won't be any more concerns about leveling the playing field.
The attitude of the playing field has little bearing when only one player is
allowed on the field.
>
> FYI, last time I checked Dexter had just broken 2000 population -- and
> we live well outside of town. So I have some small personal stake. :-)
>
And our general metropolitan area includes over 100,000. It hasn't done a
bit of good for those who live on the wrong side of the city limits sign.
bill
--
Bill Gunshannon | If this statement wasn't here,
bill@platypus.uofs.edu | This space would be left intentionally blank
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