US/ND-1: Re: universal service vs. public sector service

Re: universal service vs. public sector service

Travis Thompson (etechojt@juno.com)
Wed, 28 Aug 1996 22:12:23 EDT 

On Wed, 28 Aug 1996 14:51:13 -0400 (EDT) fidelman@civicnet.org
writes:

>From: Miles R Fidelman <fidelman@civicnet.org>
>Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 09:21:24 -0400 (EDT)
>Subject: universal service vs. public sector service
>
>Universal service is like the telephone:  everyone has it and it's
>relatively cheap.  The best model for universal advanced service is a
>university or corporate campus, where there is a "data wall plug" next 
>to
>every telephone jack.  On the MIT campus, for example, a 24-hour, high
>speed connection to the campus network (and through it to the 
>Internet)
>costs around $25/mo. -- That's the kind of service I'd like to my home
>office (or classroom, or library).

Absolutely, and this model is ecenomically achievable right now.

>For this kind of universal service to exist, at modest cost, economies 
>of
>scale have to be exploited -- we're talking about building network
>utilities akin to telephone, water, sewer, electric systems - i.e.
>infrastructure.

ADSL and new wireless technology will eliminate capital equipment costs
associated with building costly wired and fiber optic telecoms
infrastructure.

Adapting wireless technology also eliminates telephone costs so this is
not a solution promoted by equipment manufacturers or telephone
companies.
 
>By contrast, much of the talk about free (subsidized) access for 
>schools,
>etc., implies that the commercial vendors will focus their efforts on 
>the
>largest, most profitable markets (i.e. "cream skimming), and throw a 
>bone
>to the rest of us in the way of free service in a few locations. 
>

The current model being promoted by most vendors is designed to preserve
and/or increase profits - not to provide universal service economically.

>Don't get fooled by what looks like a good deal.  Cream skimming plus 
>free
>service for schools and libraries translates to not very much service 
>for
>homes, small businesses, small non-profits, etc.
>

Exactly.

>
>**************************************************************************
>Miles R. Fidelman                       mfidelman@civicnet.org
>President &                             91 Baldwin St. Charlestown MA 
>02129 
>Director of Civic Networking Systems    617-241-9205 fax: 617-241-5064
>The Center for Civic Networking         http://civic.net/ccn.html
>
>Information Infrastructure: Public Spaces for the 21st Century
>Let's Start With: Internet Wall-Plugs Everywhere 
>Say It Often, Say It Loud: "I Want My Internet!" 
>**************************************************************************

Regards,
Travis
National eTechOJT Coordinator