Thanks, I guess. I was afraid you would say that because it is what I thought was happening. I just hoped that there was some authority the FCC had to make clear what the law means. As I feared, they do not. I guess we can see AOL's grand strategy. Create a critical mass of people who believe a chicken in every pot is possible. Jam up the legal channels with a army of lawyers and a flood of bills. All this will keep the T/ATHM stock down, cause T/ATHM zillions of dollars in lawyer/PR fees and help slow down the roll out.
T/ATHM strategy is to do the same in reverse. T/ATHM have their own bills in congress, FCC is on their side, legal case is in court and the train just keeps chugging along. T/ATHM is also starting up their own PR. Doing a good job too. "Forced Access" is now a common phrase. TV and print ads paint AOL as part of US Government trying to take over the internet business.
The other part of the T/ATHM strategy is to skip the towns that think "Open Access" is a reality. Those towns need to find a cable broadband business that can promise a "Open Access" system to all ISPs. It will be interesting to see if GTE steps in with a offer. I guess they could do that, then tie up the area because "We are doing research" and finally come out with a system that is super slow - all the while they will be saying "We will give you broadband through our phone lines while you are waiting - it is much better than cable."
If the below is true (caution - I got it from YHOO board, but it does seem to be possible), I guess we will have to add Broward County to Portland. I am sure they can dig up a few more counties in the backwoods that will go along. Maybe even crazy SF.
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Broward County Passes Cable Open Access Ordinance;
GTE hails decision as a consumer victory
Business Wire - July 13, 1999 17:41
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 1999--GTE hailed today's decision by the Broward Board of County Commissioners to give local high-speed Internet users a choice among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) when using cable modem service.
The Board adopted a general ordinance requiring MediaOne, and all other cable operators under its authority, to provide open access to their cable systems for high-speed Internet connections. Prior to this ruling, MediaOne, which is being acquired by AT&T, refused to allow access to the Internet through other providers on an equal basis with its ISP.
"This forward-thinking decision increases consumer choice and access to the Internet," said William P. Barr, GTE Executive Vice President - Government and Regulatory Advocacy and General Counsel. "We congratulate the Broward County Commissioners for standing up for their constituents and rejecting the cable industry's massive lobbying, advertising blitz and bullying tactics that included lawsuit threats. The efforts of local authorities to promote equal access to the franchised cable-modem platform will assure a high level of competition among ISPs, and ultimately hold down the cost."
Broward County joins the City of Portland and Multnomah County, Ore., in requiring that monopoly cable operators open their fast-lane Internet access services to multiple ISPs, allowing consumers a choice. AT&T challenged Portland's right to require open access. However, U.S. District Court Judge Owen Panner ruled in June that local communities have the authority to require cable operators to open their high-speed Internet access platforms.
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors takes up the issue on July 26 when it considers requiring open access as a condition for transferring TCI's cable franchise to AT&T. (AT&T closed its
merger with TCI in 1999). On July 27, Miami-Dade County is expected to act on a general ordinance similar to the one passed in Broward County today. |
