Jim, good questions:
"How long will it be until that changes? How long will it be until someone can say, 'We can access anyone, anywhere in the world, and we don't need to use any incumbent's services.' ?
We spoke about the ability of users to hop onto other service providers networks in the past, by using the power of IP. We called it upper-layer access techniques to voice, video and so on, whereby, through the use of VoIP and streaming multi-media services, end users could use their DSL and Cable Modem connections to bypass incumbent service providers. In so doing they would avoid facing the usual riggamarole of "signing up" and getting new services installed, and the associated higher costs of traditional SP pricing schemes.
The service providers and their vendros who suck up to them are wise to this. As a case in point, read the CMTS white paper by CSCO that I posted on nFCTF last week. Note, in particular, the opening paragraph, which I'll copy below:
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Cisco 1999 White Paper: Controlling Your Network - A Must for Cable Operators
Executive Overview
This white paper describes how multiple systems operators (MSOs) can control the traffic on their multiservice network to ensure that their users receive consistently high levels of service. In addition, it discusses how to prevent outside content providers from disrupting the cable network by delivering broadband content without authorization granted by the MSO.
Continued at:
cptech.org
From a more comprehensive set of papers whose references can be viewed at:
Message 14978993
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