FCC To Propose Regulating Internet as a Utility...

[BoberFett]

That is not true. Its not a "natural" monopoly. That would imply that the government is not used to keep out competition. The reason competition is kept out, is because the governments involved will not allow other companies to come in.

You want real competition? How about getting rid of the rules that hold back companies from building more lines.

It makes little sense to have the last mile laid a dozen times for every possible competitor. That's a pointless waste of resources, and no carrier would even want to enter that market. They'd have to lay and maintain lines they may never use. That's why carriers currently use government to obtain a monopoly, then own all the lines in the region.

As with many things in the US, what we get isn't government or free market, but the worst of both worlds. We get the government doing stupid shit and corporations taking advantage of it.

 

[fskimospy]

It makes little sense to have the last mile laid a dozen times for every possible competitor. That's a pointless waste of resources, and no carrier would even want to enter that market. They'd have to lay and maintain lines they may never use. That's why carriers currently use government to obtain a monopoly, then own all the lines in the region.

As with many things in the US, what we get isn't government or free market, but the worst of both worlds. We get the government doing stupid shit and corporations taking advantage of it.

Yes, exactly. Sadly, local unbundling is not in this proposal. That would actually help solve the competition problem so naturally that won't be happening, haha.

If we are unwilling to actually introduce free market competition we might as well turn these companies into utilities.

 

[BoberFett]

Yes, exactly. Sadly, local unbundling is not in this proposal. That would actually help solve the competition problem so naturally that won't be happening, haha.

If we are unwilling to actually introduce free market competition we might as well turn these companies into utilities.

Politics: The Art of the Possible

*sigh*

 

[DucatiMonster696]

So, you're saying that big bad gub'mint hasn't ruined telephone service even though they regulate it, but if we let big bad gub'mint regulate the internet, everything is going to go to hell.

Cell phones != landlines.

Rethink your statement and go back and review the differences in terms of the regulatory environment between the two. Remember to factor in the leapfrog nature of cellphone technology that disconnects the massive costs of infrastructure and thus regulation for cell phone companies to pop up all over the place and then get back to us with a new post that is hopefully not exhibit your natural tendency to create strawmen responses.

 

[BoberFett]

Cell phones != landlines.

Rethink your statement and go back and review the differences in terms of the regulatory environment between the two. Remember to factor in the leapfrog nature of cellphone technology that disconnects the massive costs of infrastructure and thus regulation for cell phone companies to pop up all over the place and then get back to us with a new post that is hopefully not exhibit your natural tendency to create strawmen responses.

Talking to shitstains like nickqt or ivwshane is pointless. They're not interested in discussion, they don't realize that all of their "HOOOEEEE I"M A REPUBLICAN 'N I R DUM!" shtick essentially makes them as useless as those they attempt to mock.

 

[Sonikku]

That is not true. Its not a "natural" monopoly. That would imply that the government is not used to keep out competition. The reason competition is kept out, is because the governments involved will not allow other companies to come in.

You want real competition? How about getting rid of the rules that hold back companies from building more lines.

I don't think any of us here even among the ATOT crowd have the large quantities of Free Speech possible to drown out the quantities of Free Speech Comcast/Warner are throwing at politicians. Which is ironic, as we're all incrementally bankrolling the very Comcast/Warner Free Speech which is being used against us, because to not do so would mean we make do with no internet. Quite the catch 22.

 

[realibrad]

It makes little sense to have the last mile laid a dozen times for every possible competitor. That's a pointless waste of resources, and no carrier would even want to enter that market. They'd have to lay and maintain lines they may never use. That's why carriers currently use government to obtain a monopoly, then own all the lines in the region.

As with many things in the US, what we get isn't government or free market, but the worst of both worlds. We get the government doing stupid shit and corporations taking advantage of it.

One way to improve the situation, would be for the last mile to be owned by the city, and lease out space to the highest bidders. In that system, companies would only be able to justify leasing the space if they could get a return.
Not my favorite option, but still better than current.

 

[BoberFett]

realibrad

See my earlier post.

It doesn't even require bidding, each end point should be able to choose any provider they want as long as that provider has a trunk into the local PoP.

 

[nickqt]

Talking to shitstains like nickqt or ivwshane is pointless. They're not interested in discussion, they don't realize that all of their "HOOOEEEE I"M A REPUBLICAN 'N I R DUM!" shtick essentially makes them as useless as those they attempt to mock.

Calling people shitstains and accusing them of stuff is a great way to have a discussion.

You're so awesome at having conversations, shitstain.

 

[realibrad]

Calling people shitstains and accusing them of stuff is a great way to have a discussion.

You're so awesome at having conversations, shitstain.

He disagrees with me, and seem to be civil. Maybe there is something I do differently? :hmm:

 

[openwheel]

Let's "rethink" the words "government regulation".

I think some have the term confused. I think a wide open internet with net neutrality is the opposite of big government regulation.

 

[Strk]

Let's "rethink" the words "government regulation".

I think some have the term confused. I think a wide open internet with net neutrality is the opposite of big government regulation.

Some people don't see the bigger picture. A small amount of regulation is needed to prevent much worse regulation. I don't get how people can honestly believe ISPs won't do worse.

 

[piasabird]

If we get our Internet from the same company that has been raising our cable tv rates for 50 years then maybe that is a problem.

The FCC wants to enact new standards for what they consider Broadband.
Old standard was 10 meg downstream and 1 meg upstream.
New standard is 25 meg downstream and 3 meg upstream.

I wonder how old this broadband standard is?

http://nypost.com/2015/01/29/fcc-raises-speed-standard-on-what-qualifies-as-broadband/

 

[werepossum]

Let's "rethink" the words "government regulation".

I think some have the term confused. I think a wide open internet with net neutrality is the opposite of big government regulation.

Whether one is for or against this proposal, all should keep in mind that once government has the power to regulate something, exactly what regulations are enacted are largely up to the bureaucracy, with override power from the President, Congress and the courts. The camel may have a cute nose, but that's not all he wants in the tent.

 

[blankslate]

Maybe Verizon is regretting bringing that lawsuit against the FCC net neutrality rules...

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...-court-strikes-down-fccs-anti-blocking-rules/

http://arstechnica.com/business/201...hat-its-huge-net-neutrality-gamble-backfired/

Verizon sued to block the FCC's 2010 net neutrality order, leading to a court ruling that threw out rules against blocking and discrimination. The court said the FCC erred by imposing per se common carrier rules—the kind of rules applied to the old telephone network—onto broadband without first classifying broadband providers as common carriers. Now, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is proposing to reclassify broadband as a common carriage service, an even worse outcome for Verizon and fellow ISPs.

Without mentioning its own role in bringing about this scenario, Verizon today criticized Wheeler's decision.

The court struck down the FCC rules in early 2014 but implied that if the FCC had classified the ISPs as common carriers then the FCC might not have lost the lawsuit. At least that's how it looks to me.

If ISPs did in the 90's what they apparently wish to be able to do today... charge more for prioritized access or treat traffic differently depending on what it is or where it originates would Google or any other large internet company be as large as they are now?



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