Mike,
Sure, other ISPs can be accessed over the ATHM infrastructure. They may even receive "first page" status (it's doable), if deals are cut, terms are reached, etc. They could even partition some of the spectrum in ATHM's backbone if they want, assuming, again, that amenable terms are reached, or even forced, as it were.
But you missed the point of my message. The premise in the foregoing argument was that the other ISPs wanted "equal access," comparably efficient and achievable, to what ATHM enjoys. And these conditions preclude "using" ATHM's proprietary network, or their last mile cable modem channels. Rather, it means just what I stated. And that is, giving the other ISPs comparable accommodations to what the MSOs are affording ATHM at this time. Anythng short of this would relegate the other ISPs to the back seat, and I think that it is clear by now that Case and many of the others wont hear of that, if they feel that there is a shot at the real thing.
But if we take your argument to the next level, do you really think that this is a way out at this time, under the present state of affairs, or state of the art?
I am confident that ATHM, alone, will have all to do, themselves, in order to keep their own congestion levels manageable, and their pipes passable, in the near to intermediate terms. I also feel very strongly that they will not be able to do this in many regions of the country for some interim periods going forward, without resorting to establishing speed limits, curfews and other restrictions based on types of services permitted on their channel(s).
I will stand by my position on this until the last mile is re-engineered and re-segmented through the use of deeper fiber serving smaller clusters of users, combined with modified/expanded channel allocations for cable modem use in the downstream and upstream regions of the spectrum. Only then will other ISPs be permitted to enjoy the same limitations as ATHM. [Irony intended.]
I appreciate your comments, and those of others here, nonetheless.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
