Francis and Frank,
Thanks for your discussions. I'm getting a little confused. There are three independent issues that seem to be getting mixed together.
First is ISP's not having to pay for local connections while using the regionals bells local network to get to the home. RBOCs have been complaining about this to the FCC for over a year now.
Second issue is the FCC thinking about taxing data network companies who are going to offer low cost voice services via the Internet or their own networks.
Third is the issue of whether or not the FCC is going to allow the RBOCs to build data networks that will allow them to get into, the currently prohibited, long distance voice business using VoIP as a way to circumvent the ruling.
To me it appears these are three independent issues. The first one has been around quite awhile and appears to be a dead issue (I hope). The second and third are fairly recent innovations and it's hard to tell what is going to happen. But it appears it would be very bad for any of the emerging data networks if any of the three issues were pushed through by the FCC. Luckily, it appears that the current administration (Clinton and Gore) appear to be on the side of "hands off." This has got to make the FCC think twice about shooting themselves in the foot by taking strong stands on any one of the three issues. They always seem to be leery of doing anything at all (which is good!).
I would have to think that it would be best for ISPs, RBOCs, ILECs, LDs, ABCs, etc. to all push for the FCC to stay away from every issue! Just like Jim Barksdale, Bill Gates, and Scott McNealy told congress during the Microsoft hearings. They clearly told congress not to add any more laws or rulings. Just enforce current ones. I hope the alphabet soup of telephone and data companies take the same tactic. After all it's going to be one big data network in the future and everyone will in the same bed offering the same services eventually.
MikeM(From Florida) |
