[2136] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Trickle Down? How About Bubble Up?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael P. Martineau)
Tue Jan 28 07:18:30 1992
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 92 08:17:23 AST
To: Vince Fuller <vaf@Valinor.Stanford.EDU>
From: martinea@hawk.nstn.ns.ca (Michael P. Martineau)
Reply-To: martinea@hawk.nstn.ns.ca
Cc: stef@nma.com, com-priv@uu.psi.com, Edward Vielmetti <emv@msen.com>
We have found that offering low-speed service is exceptionally labor-intensive,
given the difficulties involved in system management and training, and requires
a substantial infrastructure investment both in computer hardware (banks of
modems, server systems to offer mail-spooling, domain service, etc.) and in
personnel time and expertise (someone has to learn how to configure those
client sendmail.cf files, handle domain database updates for the clients,
get UUCP-over-TCP running, teach client personnel how to install their
SLIP/PPP software (which if cheap is probably unsupported), etc., etc.).
We have found the same results with our dial in service as well. Our
experience, in general, suggests that those organizations which can least
afford to pay for connection are usually the ones which require the most
support.
Are you sure you aren't underestimating the true costs of providing such a
service?
I believe that he may be.
*************************************************************************
* Michael P. Martineau martinea@hawk.nstn.ns.ca *
* General Manager Phone: 468-NSTN *
* NSTN Inc. FAXL 468-3679 *
*************************************************************************
