Frank:
Thanks for the very detailed and thoughtful response (as usual).
I know I really must be more objective and understanding of the ILEC's. Many are, afterall, PUBLIC UTILITIES in the true spirit of the words. Some may be more in name than action, but they really have, are expected to, and do, provide a universal service that the newer communications companies could not ever develop from scratch and service economically.
It is really easy to be overly critical, colored by the knowledge that they have predictable, self-preserving responses to most problems, including competition. But, to be fair, they have earned some of that right through years of investment (generally well-rewarded) and service.
As a former law enforcement administrator, I know that we could never provide as well for the needs of public safety communications, if it were necessary to deal in great detail with ten or twenty LEC's, rather than one.
Regarding your comments to Charlie on the necessarily "downward to zero" progression of communications service costs, there is a recent article in WIRED entitled "New Rules For The New Economy" which, with much philosophy attached, enumerates such as a basic principal of the new Network Economy.
I suspect that the reference to the article may have originally come from you, but with apologies if that is so, the following is the address for the article:
wired.com
If the reference cam from you thanks. If not, it's an interesting view of the future.
Have a great and safe weekend.
Best.
Steve |
