Jay:
Vous êtes Canadien, n'est-ce pas? Many of the issues confronting open access are policy driven, and policy dictates laws & regulations. So what may work or not work in Canada, would not necessarily hold true in them here States. I say this merely as a frame of reference in any discussion on these issues.
BTW, before dozing off last night, I caught the AOL-TWX merger hearings before the FCC on C-Span last night. (Enough to put anybody to sleep in the wee morning hours). There was some discussion about open access, but nothing convincing that told me that things would be any different from what T is promising. That is will provide open access, but when we're good & ready, when we have our architecture in place, can control the network, and DICTATE how we wish to operate the open access model. In short, a cause for concern for any ISP seeking access on the cable platform.
What else I found interesting were comments by the representative from BLS and his concern over any shared arrangements b/w AOL-TWX and T. Understandable as it may seem, perhaps "MikeM From BLS Territory" might be able to shed some focused light on why BLS is particularly sensitive to this issue.
Some thoughts. Unlike the other RBOCs, it appears that BLS intends to compete head-to-head with the MSOs early on with their present foray into DBS service in combo with their FTTH strategy. Obviously, the ability of AOL-TWX, the paramount force to deal with on the cable platform, hooking up with T for local carrier and LD phone service carries a powerful bunch that BLS would prefer not to go up against. I figure BLS believes it can offer customers better telephonic services than most MSOs, if not based on true customer service realities, then upon lack of brand recognition that the MSOs lack in this area. The obvious exception would be to team up with T, which at least creates a brand name to the would-be customer. A strong selling point, IMHO, for any MSO.
Am I ready to transfer my phone service to Adelphia? I'll leave that question unanswered. But if the AT&T name is out there instead, many a customer are going to be much less reluctant to switch their phone service over to the MSO. JMO. |
