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To: Boplicity who wrote (2138)	6/19/2001 7:33:30 PM
From: Jorj X Mckie	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13815

We absolutely agree that broadband is the key to getting this ball rolling. But if the ILECs need special considerations from the gov't in order to make their business model work, I think that there may be a flaw in the business model. But I am also of the opinion that the telecommunications act of 1996(?) basically offered a disincentive for the ILECs to pursue a rapid deployment of broadband services. Once they upgrade their infrastructure, a new round of CLECs gets to jump in and take advantage of their largesse. So, rather than the gov't giving more incentives, I want to see the gov't remove the disincentives. But being the pessimist that I am about the government repealing anything, I tend to lean toward the ILECs having the same business inhibitors in place and protecting their current cashflow by only slowly rolling out broadband capabilities, while the Cablecos press on the gas peddle and win the race in the long run.

To: Boplicity who wrote (2138)	6/19/2001 11:26:06 PM
From: pbull	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13815

Bop, I'm glad to hear you say our free-enterprise system sometimes needs some tweaking. I was a hands-off guy for years, but now I really believe government has not only a role, but a responsibility. For example, I believe government should take the lead in ensuring that the computers, software and telco infrastructure at government offices is "best available technology," which in turn encourages their largest customers (businesses) to upgrade. Otherwise, what would it say if our government still used all DOS operating systems instead of Windows? See what I mean? Government should take the lead, in my opinion, instead of being the last to adopt new technology. My opinion. PB