Search
OneWebDay
This Month
November 2005
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
Year Archive
Login
User name:
Password:
Remember me 
Search Google
Re: Three questions
by Rob Frieden
Hello All, In 2002 I wrote an article in Telecommunications Policy entitled Revenge of the Bellheads: how the Netheads lost control of the Internet. The article asserted that as the incumbent telephone companies largely owned and operated the Tier-1 ISPs and the associated transmission networks, they had the power to set Internet commercial policy. At some not too distant future date owners of a "one size fits all" IP centric (a bit is a bit) network might have even greater control over what traverses their pipes. In a deregulated or unregulated environment arm's length negotiations do not typically result in unlawful discrimination. Fair enough. But what about anyone--consumers included--who have no negotiation leverage and cannot alter unilateral terms and conditions, including ones that ensure that a telecom pricing model applies where an All You Can Eat Internet model previously applied? I agree that Title I of the Communications Act offers a vague and undisciplined outlet for the FCC to remedy "unlawful" discrimination. I also don't think the FCC should engage in price regulation. But if the future IP marketplace is dominated by two players splitting 95% of the market (cable and telco) what prevents Mr. Whiteacre and his Bellhead colleagues from calling the shots from a Bellhead template?
Post comment:
  Receive comment notifications for this article
Subject: 
Comment: 
Comment verification:

Please enter the text you see inside the graphic to post your comment:
This blog does not allow anonymous comments. Please provide your username and password along with your comment.
Login information:
Username: 
Password: 
If you would like to post contact information on your comment, please enter your information into the optional fields below:
Contact information:
URL:  example: http://yourdomain.com