TELECOM Digest     Fri, 9 Sep 2005 21:01:00 EDT    Volume 24 : Issue 412

Inside This Issue:                            Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Qwest Launches New Legal Fight Against City of Portland (Mike Rogoway)
    Qwest Executive's Lawyer Says Company Knew About Fraud (Associated Press)  
    Telecom Update #496, September 9, 2005 (Angus TeleManagement Group)
    HP Demos Advanced TV Technology that Delivers Direct Access (Monty Solomon)
    Pilot Episode of New Fox Series 'Reunion' to Be Available (Monty Solomon)
    Checking In at Home, Even From Afar (Monty Solomon)
    NYC Phone Rates, was: Sid Ceasar and Phones in Comedy (Danny Burstein)
    Re: Arizona Budget POTS Plans (John Levine)
    Re: Laptops Turn On, Tune In to Seattle Metro's New Wi-Fi (Michael Chance)
    Re: Laptops Turn On, Tune In to Seattle Metro's New Wi-Fi (John L. Shelton)

Telecom and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Digest for the
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We must fight spam for the same reason we fight crime: not because we
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we do not want the kind of world that results when no one stands
against crime.   Geoffrey Welsh

               ===========================

See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details
and the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Mike Rogoway <oregonian@telecom-digest.org>
Subject: Qwest Lauches New Legal Fight Against Portland
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 19:16:58 


by Mike Rogoway, The Oregonian

The communications company sues the city, alleging the government
system hurts competition.

Qwest Communications International Inc. has opened a new front in its
long-running legal battle with the city of Portland, suing to rein in
the city's internal telecommunications system.

Portland launched its network in 2002 to get around the rates Qwest
and other telecom companies charge for phone lines and high-speed
Internet connections. Portland's $14 million system links several city
offices, and a few government agencies outside the city, to a network
of fiber-optic cable that carries city phone calls and Internet
traffic.

The Integrated Regional Network Enterprise is known by its initials,
IRNE, pronounced "Ernie." Portland says IRNE provides super-fast
Internet connections the city couldn't otherwise afford. The city,
however, estimates it has already spent $150,000 on legal fees
defending the system against earlier challenges from Qwest and others.

Qwest's latest suit, filed late last week in U.S. District Court,
calls IRNE an illegal, government-sponsored competitor. Qwest
complains that the city is abusing its regulatory authority by forcing
telecom companies to connect IRNE to their networks in exchange for
permission to use city-owned rights of way for the companies' private
networks.

"It provides, basically, unfair competition and makes it very, very
difficult for the private sector to compete," said Judy Peppler,
Qwest's Oregon president.

Portland grants IRNE access to the Oregon Department of
Transportation, the Port of Portland, Metro and other government
agencies, which Peppler said robs telecom companies of large,
lucrative customers.

Qwest's suit doesn't seek to unhook IRNE or extract damages from the
city. Instead, Qwest asks the court to stop Portland from forcing
telecom companies to connect to IRNE. The suit also would require
other governments to seek competitive bids before connecting to
Portland's network.

"We're just trying to get it back on a level playing field, an equal
footing," Peppler said.

Matt Lampe, the city's chief technology officer, said Qwest's
accusations don't reflect the way IRNE actually works. Portland used
to compel phone companies to open their networks to the city, he said,
but no longer does so. And Lampe said the city collects just $100,000
in annual revenue from IRNE, so its agreements with other government
agencies are too small to threaten Qwest.

"It's almost like they're looking for a diabolical plot that isn't
there," Lampe said.

Portland and Qwest have been squabbling for years, largely over
millions in franchise fees the phone company says Oregon cities don't
have the authority to collect.

A separate round of litigation over IRNE began a year ago with suits
by Qwest's long-distance arm and a few smaller telecom companies. The
Qwest division providing local phone service filed the latest suit
last week, which may eventually be joined to the others.

Qwest has at least three lawsuits pending against the city related to
franchise fees or IRNE.

City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who oversees the city bureau
responsible for telecom franchises, said Qwest is pushing back against
Portland's innovative approach to telecommunications.

"I think Portland has been a leader in certainly exploring a lot of
options to provide broadband services," Saltzman said. "Maybe we're
targeted by Qwest because of that."

Mike Rogoway: 503-294-7699, mikerogoway@news.oregonian.com

Copyright 2005 The Oregonian.

NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the
daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at
http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/more-news.html . Hundreds of new
articles daily.

*** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material the
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For more information go to:
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------------------------------

From: Associated Press NewsWire <ap@telecom-digest.org>
Subject: Qwest Executive's Lawyer Says Others Involved in Fraud
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 19:19:58 -0500


The Associated Press

Sep. 8, 2005 - An attorney for a former Qwest executive charged with
fraud and money laundering said in a court filing that others in the
company engaged in the same conduct alleged in the indictment, and
that the company knew about it and authorized it.

Marc B. Weisberg, a former Qwest Communications International
Inc. senior vice president who oversaw mergers, acquisitions and
investments, was indicted in February by a federal grand jury on eight
counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.

Prosecutors allege Weisberg made $2.9 million for himself, family
members and friends between 1999 and 2001 by demanding that vendors
offer them stock in return for doing business with the company.

The government wants Weisberg to forfeit $2.9 million and other
assets.

Weisberg has pleaded innocent.

His lawyer revealed what may be part of the defense strategy in a
document filed in federal court on Sept. 1.

"Weisberg will demonstrate that many individuals at Qwest engaged in
conduct similar or perhaps even identical to his own, that Qwest knew
of the conduct alleged in the indictment, and that Qwest authorized
investments that the government now contends victimized Qwest," the
filing said.

The government began investigating the telecommunications giant for
fraud starting in 2002.  Last month, former chief financial officer
Robin Szeliga pleaded guilty to one count of insider trading, becoming
the highest-ranking one-time executive to admit wrongdoing.

She will be sentenced Nov. 4. Her plea agreement recommends a term of
15 months to 21 months. She agreed to pay $125,000 in restitution and
to cooperate with prosecutors.

Thomas Hall pleaded guilty in September to falsifying documents and
was sentenced to probation. Grant Graham has pleaded guilty to being
an accessory after the fact to wire fraud and is expected to receive
probation.  John Walker and Bryan Treadway were acquitted in April of
charges including fraud and conspiracy.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. 

NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the
daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at
http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/more-news.html . Hundreds of new
articles daily.

For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 12:07:57 -0700
Subject: Telecom Update #496, September 9, 2005
From: Angus TeleManagement Group <jriddell@angustel.ca>
Reply-To: Angus TeleManagement Group <jriddell@angustel.ca>


************************************************************
TELECOM UPDATE 
************************************************************
published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group 
http://www.angustel.ca

Number 496: September 9, 2005

Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous 
financial support from: 

** AVAYA: www.avaya.ca/en/
** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca 
** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca/ 
** ERICSSON: www.ericsson.ca
** MITEL NETWORKS: www.mitel.com/
** NEC UNIFIED SOLUTIONS: www.necunifiedsolutions.com
** ROGERS TELECOM: www.rogers.com/solutions 
** VONAGE CANADA: www.vonage.ca

************************************************************

IN THIS ISSUE: 

** Bell Launches VoIP Push 
** CRTC Invites Comment on Bell VoIP Tariffs 
** Broadband Hearing in Whitehorse Today
** Cellcos Consider Number Portability Plan 
** 800,000 Phones Still Out on Gulf Coast 
** Respondents Added to Telcos' Court Appeal 
** Rogers Wants Unbundled Loops From Remotes 
** Bell Amends VoIP Tariff re 9-1-1 Calls 
** Manitoba Tel CEO to Retire 
** ITAC Study Says Canada Lags in ICT 
** Vonage Activates Millionth Line 
** Videotron Signs 75,000 Phone Subscribers 
** New Anik Satellite Goes Aloft 
** Ericsson Enables Remote Cellphone Upgrades 
** Allstream Wins Via Rail Contract 
** Telecom Hall of Fame Gala Grows 

============================================================

BELL LAUNCHES VoIP PUSH: Bell Canada has announced its long-expected
response to competition from cablecos and other suppliers of IP-based
telephone service. The response involves two offerings:

** Digital Voice converts an existing standard phone line to 
   VoIP using facilities in the Bell switching centre. Base 
   price is $40/month, not including long distance. 
   Additional numbers in 23 cities are $4 each.

** Digital Voice Lite is the new name for Bell's previously 
   announced access-independent VoIP service, which requires 
   a high-speed Internet connection. (See Telecom Update 
   #475) Base price is $34/month for local calling and 1,200 
   minutes of province-wide long distance; Canada-U.S. LD is 
   $5 extra.

** Digital Voice is available now in the Greater Toronto and 
   Hamilton areas. It will be rolled out next in Montreal, 
   and then elsewhere in Ontario and Quebec. Digital Voice 
   Lite, launched last March in three Quebec cities, is now 
   offered across Ontario and Quebec.

CRTC INVITES COMMENT ON BELL VoIP TARIFFS: The CRTC gave interim
approval to Bell's Digital Voice and Digital Voice Lite tariffs last
week, but allowed the details to remain confidential until September
8. Parties now have 25 days to comment.

www.crtc.gc.ca/8740/eng/2005/b2/tn6899.zip 
www.crtc.gc.ca/8740/eng/2005/b2/tn6889.doc 

** Bell Canada has asked the Commission to allow it to charge 
   different prices for Digital Voice in Ontario and Quebec. 
   In Telecom Public Notice 2005-13, the CRTC asks for 
   comment on whether it should approve that aspect of the 
   tariff.

www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2005/pt2005-13.htm

** In Public Notice 2005-9, the CRTC launched a public 
   discussion of Bell's original Digital Voice tariff (now 
   rebranded Digital Voice Lite), which is still ongoing.

www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8661/c12_200507973.htm

BROADBAND HEARING IN WHITEHORSE TODAY: The Telecom Policy Review panel
is holding a forum on broadband access today in Whitehorse, Yukon, to
be followed by an online discussion until September 16. To view
presenters' slides or participate in the online discussion, register
at the panel's website.

www.telecomreview.ca/epic/internet/intprp-gecrt.nsf/en/h_rx00038e.html#webcast

CELLCOS CONSIDER NUMBER PORTABILITY PLAN: The Canadian Wireless
Telecommunications Association says that the Wireless Number
Portability Task Force is now considering a draft plan for wireless
number portability prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Task Force
aims to complete its review and issue guidelines by the end of the
month.

800,000 PHONES STILL OUT ON GULF COAST: BellSouth says it has restored
service to about half of the 1.7 million phone lines that were cut off
during Hurricane Katrina. The company estimates the total cost of
repairing its network will be US$400 million to $600 million.

** Wireline, wireless, and Internet services have been 
   disrupted; in New Orleans, satellite phones provided the 
   only reliable means of communications.

RESPONDENTS ADDED TO TELCOS' COURT APPEAL: On instructions from the
Federal Court, the telcos that want to appeal the CRTC's VoIP decision
(see Telecom Update #486) have added Rogers, Shaw, Videotron, Cogeco,
EastLink, the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association, MTS
Allstream, and ARCH (a legal resource centre for persons with
disabilities) as respondents to their application. The respondents may
now file opposing arguments.

ROGERS WANTS UNBUNDLED LOOPS FROM REMOTES: Rogers Telecom has asked
the CRTC to order Bell Canada to make unbundled loops available in
areas served by remote switches. Rogers says Bell is refusing to
install the necessary equipment, resulting in up to nine months' delay
in Rogers' ability to offer service in new areas.

www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/r29_200510497.htm

BELL AMENDS VoIP TARIFF RE 9-1-1 CALLS: Bell Canada has amended the
tariff for its Managed IP Telephony service (see Telecom Update #442)
to spell out limitations on how 9-1-1 calls are handled.

www.crtc.gc.ca/8740/eng/2005/B2.htm#200510190

MANITOBA TEL CEO TO RETIRE: Bill Fraser plans to retire as CEO of
Manitoba Telecom next year; the telco has begun a search for a
successor. Fraser led MTS in its purchase of Allstream last year,
which transformed the telco into Canada's third-largest national
carrier.

ITAC STUDY SAYS CANADA LAGS IN ICT: A study prepared for the
Information Technology Association of Canada finds that the average
investment per worker in Information and Communications Technology in
2003 was US$1,332 in Canada, less than half of the U.S. figure.

VONAGE ACTIVATES MILLIONTH LINE: Internet telephony provider Vonage
Holdings says it has more than one million subscribers in North
America.  Its Canadian subscriber total has not been made public.

VIDEOTRON SIGNS 75,000 PHONE SUBSCRIBERS: Videotron Ltee says it
signed its 75,000th cable telephone subscriber during August. The
cableco aims to provide 349,000 phone lines customers by the end of
next year.

NEW ANIK SATELLITE GOES ALOFT: Telesat Canada's Anik F1R satellite has
been successfully launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of
Kazakhstan. It will provide telecom and broadcasting services,
including direct-to-home satellite television, and enhanced global
positioning for aviation use in Canada and the U.S.

ERICSSON ENABLES REMOTE CELLPHONE UPGRADES: Rogers Wireless is the
first Canadian cellco, and one of the first in the world, to provide
automatic remote configuration and software updates to its customers'
cellphones, using technology from Ericsson.

ALLSTREAM WINS VIA RAIL CONTRACT: Allstream has signed a three-year
contract with Via Rail Canada to provide voice and data services to
call centres, train stations, and administrative offices.

TELECOM HALL OF FAME GALA GROWS: The dinner and celebration announcing
the first laureates in Canada's new Telecommunications Hall of Fame
has been moved to a larger hall in the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre. The gala will be held Monday October 17, as part of
Telemanagement Live, Canada's premier business telecom and networking
event.

** For more information, or to register, go to 
   www.telemanagementlive.com.

============================================================

HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR TELECOM UPDATE

E-mail ianangus@angustel.ca and jriddell@angustel.ca

===========================================================

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE (OR UNSUBSCRIBE)

TELECOM UPDATE is provided in electronic form only. There are two
formats available:

1. The fully-formatted edition is posted on the 
   World Wide Web late Friday afternoon each week 
   at www.angustel.ca

2. The e-mail edition is distributed free of charge.
   To subscribe, send an e-mail message to:
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   To stop receiving the e-mail edition, send 
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===========================================================

COPYRIGHT AND CONDITIONS OF USE: All contents copyright 2005 Angus
TeleManagement Group Inc. All rights reserved. For further
information, including permission to reprint or reproduce, please
e-mail jriddell@angustel.ca.

The information and data included has been obtained from sources which
we believe to be reliable, but Angus TeleManagement makes no
warranties or representations whatsoever regarding accuracy,
completeness, or adequacy.  Opinions expressed are based on
interpretation of available information, and are subject to change. If
expert advice on the subject matter is required, the services of a
competent professional should be obtained.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 19:08:13 -0400
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: HP Demos Advanced TV Technology that Delivers Direct Access


     HP Demos Advanced TV Technology that Delivers Direct Access to
     Multimedia PC Content; Company Also Ships Digital Entertainment
     Centers and New Line of TVs in Time for Holiday Buying Season
     - Sep 9, 2005 07:45 AM (BusinessWire)

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2005--HP (NYSE:HPQ)
(Nasdaq:HPQ) today demonstrated advanced digital media technology for
its high-definition televisions (HDTVs) that will give people direct
access to digital content -- from movies to photos to music to
personal videos -- that's currently stored on their PCs.

The company is also shipping a new line of microdisplay, plasma and
LCD TVs as well as its high-definition Digital Entertainment Centers
in time for holiday shopping.

Showcased this week at the Custom Electronics Design and Installation
Association (CEDIA) tradeshow and slated for distribution next summer,
the advanced digital media technology will enable HP HDTVs to
communicate with all PC devices on a home network, including HP
Digital Entertainment Centers.

HP HDTVs that ship with this functionality will also contain other
advancements that will provide consumers with new ways to access
entertainment. These future televisions will provide consumers with
multimedia services over the Internet -- directly via their HP
advanced digital media HDTV.

     - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=51674658

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 19:08:13 -0400
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Pilot Episode of New Fox Series 'Reunion' to Be Available


     Pilot Episode of New Fox Series 'Reunion' to Be Available for
     Viewing On-Demand Exclusively on AOL.com
     - Sep 9, 2005 10:30 AM (BusinessWire)

NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2005--The full pilot
episode of FOX's much-anticipated new series "Reunion" from Warner
Bros. Television will be available for viewing free and on-demand via
the AOL.com website ( http://www.aol.com ) beginning Monday,
Sept. 12. It will be the first time that FOX has made an episode
available for viewing online in its entirety via a non-FOX
website. This collaboration between FOX, AOL and Warner Bros.
Television will extend to future episodes, with unique and exclusive
elements from the show launching on AOL.com each week. "Reunion,"
which premiered on FOX Thursday, Sept. 8 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), marks
a groundbreaking concept in series television as it chronicles the
lives of a group of six friends over the course of 20 years - all in
just one season.

The pilot episode will be available for viewing on-demand through AOL
Television at http://www.aol.com/reunion from Sept. 12-14, and
visitors can also view exclusive weekly previews of future episodes.
In cooperation with AOL Music ( http://www.aolmusic.com ), the site
will allow visitors to listen to and purchase music featured in each
episode, as well as a selection of some of the most memorable songs
from the past 20 years. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a
retrospective of pop culture highlights from the past two decades.

     - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=51678545

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 14:06:42 -0400
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Checking In at Home, Even From Afar


By JOHN R. QUAIN

For some, the problem with being on the road is the anxiety that
things might be amiss at home. Are the cats behaving? Is the baby
sitter keeping the peace? Are interlopers helping themselves to your
Scotch -- and your stereo?

Some relatively simple technology can ease that angst. Several network
video cameras allow owners to monitor the home front remotely on the
Web. The cameras offer much better video quality than in the past,
come in wireless versions that make installation simpler, and allow
you to zoom in and scan a room. Some models, using motion and heat
sensors, can alert you every time someone walks through a room.  And
there are even ways to look in by cellphone.

Most systems can be installed by the buyer, and prices range from
about $100 to $1,300, depending on camera quality and system
abilities. Unlike the Webcams commonly used to do video chats online,
these cameras do not have to be connected to a computer, and they can
be monitored from any device connected to the Internet. But they are
far from inconspicuous and require an always-on high-speed Internet
connection and a home network or access point to make the connection.

The simplest offerings are stand-alone video cameras with built-in Web
servers. I experimented with three such models, the $230 Linksys
WVC54G Wireless-G Internet video camera and two more advanced $1,000
cameras, the Panasonic BB-HCM371A network camera and the D-Link
DCS-6620G Wireless Internet camera. The latter two are aimed more at
small businesses - the Panasonic model even includes a splash guard
for outdoor installations - but both are comfortable at home.

The Linksys model is typical of cameras in its price range and has a
setup routine that is similar to the other models that I tried. The
video camera has a built-in Web server, for example, that allows it to
connect to the Internet without relying on a computer. To set up the
camera initially, you run a software program on your PC and connect
the camera to your home network with an Ethernet cable.

A Windows program guides users through the process, although neophytes
may struggle a bit with the more arcane settings. Most homeowners who
use a Wi-Fi network will also have to set their network router to open
a door in their security firewall so the camera's video can be seen
over the Internet.

After all the information is loaded into the camera, it can be
disconnected from the Ethernet cable and plugged into any power outlet
within about 150 feet of the Wi-Fi network. (The actual distance
depends on possible interference, like steel-reinforced walls.) I
connected the camera to a power outlet in my living room.  Within
seconds, the Linksys camera had made the connection to my wireless
network, and I could record video to my PC or take snapshots.

Gaining access to the camera over the Internet from another computer,
however, requires some adroit software. For security reasons, most
Internet service providers regularly change the numerical address (the
so-called I.P. address) of devices online. So, to see the video feed
from a network camera over the Internet, some kind of service or
software is needed to keep track of the camera's address changes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/technology/circuits/08basics.html?ex=1283832000&en=dd801f6e916a2e95&ei=5090

------------------------------

From: Danny Burstein <dannyb@panix.com>
Subject: NYC Phone Rates, was: Sid Ceasar and Phones in Comedy
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 18:50:40 UTC
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and UNIX, NYC


In <telecom24.411.18@telecom-digest.org> Wesrock@aol.com writes:

> Has anything but measured service every been available in New York,
> where the Honeymooners was set?

In the 1950s through the early 1960s, residential consumers in NYC
were offered two plans:

	a) a true flat rate service, but this only
	applied to calls in your very local neighborhood.

	So if you were calling the drugstore 1/2 
	mile away you were probably in the zone, but
	calling the movie theater three miles down
	the blvd to get its schedule cost you
	per minute.

	b) An untimed, but charged per call, rate,
	that covered a reasonably decent area.

	When this was first set up (at least
	in the early 1960s, can't say for earlier)
	you had an allowance of 75 "message units"
	in your base charge. Above those 75 calls
	you paid an additional 5 cents or so, untimed.

	Note that the untimed message unit did NOT
	give you the entire five boroughs, It let you
	call your own borough and, depending on
	your location, about half the rest of the
	city and some suburban areas. For most 
	people and most calls (certainly not all) 
	that was close enough.

Bit by bit the 75 message unit allowace got cut down, so nowadays
there's nothing there there. On the slight plus side back in the 1970s the
"local area" for untimed calls expanded to the entire city.

(Nowadays a bunch of very confusing options are available through
Verizon and the various CLECS, cablecos, and other folk).  --


Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key 
              dannyb@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

------------------------------

Date: 9 Sep 2005 20:21:01 -0000
From: John Levine <johnl@iecc.com>
Subject: Re: Arizona Budget POTS Plans
Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg NY USA


> And so, finally on to the question, does anyone know if Qwest offers a
> real low cost (perhaps metered) service for POTS in the 480 area? ...
> The Qwest web site is no help; it only talks about premium plans.

The Qwest web site is quite helpful if you look on their tariff
server. It says that low use resi service is $8.50/month plus 20 cents
per call (plus the usual taxes and fees.)  There appears to be a
one-time charge of $10 to switch from flat rate to low use.  IT is
definitely available in Phoenix.  By comparison. flat rate is $13.18,
so it's not that much cheaper.

When the Qwest rep denies that it's available, the USOC order code is
RMN.

R's,

John

------------------------------

From: Michael Chance <mchance@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: Laptops Turn On, Tune In to Seattle Metro's New Wi-Fi
Organization: SBC http://yahoo.sbc.com
Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 23:41:42 GMT


In article <telecom24.409.4@telecom-digest.org>, aljon@stny.rr.com 
says:

> I wish more cities would get gutsy and fight the local Teleco
> incumbent (it seems that they and the cable provider think they "own"
> connection to the Internet)

Uh, because maybe they *do* own the connection to the Internet?  At 
least the physical wires and switches.

> to put FREE Wi-FI every where (especially
> on busses with the high cost of fuel) they want. 

TANSTAAFL

Michael Chance

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 16:46:25 -0700
From: John L. Shelton <john@jshelton.com>
Subject: Re: Laptops Turn On, Tune in to Seattle Metro's New WiFi 


> John, it sounds to me you are either a paid mouth piece (lobbyist) for
> the fixed line providers (LEC or cable company), or employed by
> Qworst, I'm sorry, I mean Qwest.

I am an unpaid mouthpiece for free enterprise.  I am currently on
long-term medical leave from a NON telecom company.

It is wrong for SBC to achieve monopoly via political maneuvering, and
it is wrong for the local government to build a tax-subsidized
monopoly. The only fair thing to do is let all interested parties
offer service. If no one finds it economical to do so, that doesn't
imply a government mandate.  It might be nice if we all had original
17th century oil paintings in our houses, but "nice" doesn't cut it.

One wouldn't expect government dollars to pay for that (or perhaps we
would -- gee, 17th century oil-paintings are "art" and deserve
government museums, but Elvis Presley is not art, so he can pitch his
music commercially ...)

Once the government has run off all competition by use of subsidies,
who will keep their efforts economical? Will it work like schools,
roads, and the mail, where there is no fraud, waste, or controversy?
Give me a break. When government is the dominant player, things get
broken.  Do you really trust the people who won't patch potholes or
widen the highways, yet take billions in road-maintenance money, to
provide you with better and better internet connections "for free?"
With SBC competing against others, they have to offer better service
to earn your repeat business. With the city, you wind up with no
choice.

I understand you think SBC and others can still compete. Just like
private schools compete with public. But it's not real competition,
when the public schools have a $10k/student subsidy. And it won't be
the same with wireless, either.


=John=
john@jshelton.com

------------------------------


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