[9243] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: an Internet buying coop?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Karl Denninger)
Sat Dec 25 01:33:50 1993
From: karl@mcs.com (Karl Denninger)
To: walkerl@med.ge.com (Larry Walker)
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 1993 00:33:09 -0600 (CST)
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
In-Reply-To: <9312250108.AB07193@iscmed.med.ge.com> from "Larry Walker" at Dec 24, 93 07:08:23 pm
> >From: bzs@world.std.com (Barry Shein)
> >Subject: an Internet buying coop?
> >
> >
> <comments on "you get what you pay for" deleted>
> >
> >I've often said on these lists that the problem, if there is one, with
> >the net is not the cost, but the (perception of) value. There are few
> >people in this country who are likely to make use of the nets (e.g.
> >have PC's and modems and wherewithal) yet can't shell out the
> >$20/month or thereabouts for an account.
>
> Barry:
>
> While overall I agree with your comments to the effect that if you want to
> do business, you have to be prepared for the Cost of Doing Business, I
> think your comment about $20/mo access is the heart of the issue.
>
> As far as I can tell, most $20/mo offers for Internet access are for Unix
> command-line access.
MCSNet has announced $1/hour SLIP/PPP access, and a $30/month <flat rate> for
personal use at speeds up to 14.4kbps. We expect for that to be online and
running within the next two weeks or so. There are significant restrictions
on that class of service (like no third-party use, single human, etc) but
again, we were talking about personal classes of service (which this is).
This is particularly noteworthy in Chicagoland since you can't make an untimed
call of <any> distance on a business line here, and the phone company would
love for it to be that way for residential users as well (presently you can,
but only within 8 miles).
The trend is <towards> usage-metered services, not away from them. This is
nothing new, and I see no evidence that in the voice world it is going to
change.
If this is tolerated in the voice world, why is it not seen as "ok" in the
Internet access world? If you want to make a point that flat-rate, and
cheap, is the "true cost of doing business" convince the phone companies and
PUCs first.
With these realities as a backdrop the current pricing, even if you have to
call long-distance, is a steal for personal use. Now, if you want to have a
line up 24 hours x 7 days, you're going to pay for it.
a phone call as well.
I don't understand what all the bellyaching in that area is about.
--
Karl Denninger (karl@MCS.COM) | MCSNet - First Interactive Internet and
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