calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| reply to silica
Re: Where do you draw the line?
Actually, as the FCC has just demonstrated, IP phone services will be subject to some regulation, if only on 9-1-1 issues.
Local franchises are a joke--initially they were the way that the cable companies got access to public rights of way, and then became the entirely toothless general regulation of cable TV we have today. They are a tax, and nothing worthwhile more.
calvoiper
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! |
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silica
join:2004-05-20
Duluth, GA
| reply to vpoko
The answer is that most unbiased people would draw the line at is IP is an unregulated data service, while rf broadcast, including over fiber, is "regular TV" where local communities have some argument that they should get a franchise fee. Therefore, SBC which seeks to offer only IPTV probably does not need to get franchise approvals while Verizon plans to offer rf videofirst on FIOS, since IPTV isn't technically ready yet.
On an more editorial note: If people want fiber deployment quicker (more speed) and a competitive triple play environment (lower prices), it makes little sense to argue for socking the Bell companies with a franchise fee. Plus the cable companies can offer phone services on IP without any regulation. |
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