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story category Louisiana Fiber Debate
City faces considerable resistance
(old news - 04:10PM Tuesday Dec 28 2004)
tags: Fiber · municipal
"When you get down to it, the only thing that people need when it comes to fiber is fiber in their diet," says one opponent to a planned community run fiber network in Lafayette, Louisiana. Supporters of the plan argue that most of the worries opponents field aren't legitimate, including any extra burden on taxpayers should the project run into financial problems.

Related:
  1. After Five Years Of Fighting, Lafayette Gets Their Fiber
  2. Tuesday Evening Links
  3. Seattle Still Considering FTTH Network
  4. Australia Announces $31 Billion Fiber Network
  5. Time Warner Cable Backlash Continues
  6. Incumbent Dirty Tricks In Wilson, NC
  7. Utopia Hits 100Mbps
  8. Chattanooga Offers Fiber To The Home
Forums » Louisiana Fiber Debate
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Midak
Doctors suck
Premium
join:2002-02-26
Yonkers, NY

Progress???

That's it, don't allow your community to advance into the 21st Century.

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by Midak See Profile:

That's it, don't allow your community to advance into the 21st Century.
How about the private companies bring the town into the 21st century? They have Cox and Bellsouth already...which brings them both Cable and DSL...sounds like a lot of the rest of the United States and Canada. How are they behind exactly?

Further, I think it's dangerous when a municipal utility gets involved in an entertainment service. It doesn't foster fair competition, because their pricing can and probably will be predatory since operating costs can be fortified with muni bonds and tax dollars before becoming self-sustaining. In the meantime, the cableco's and telco's cannot effectively compete. Eventually, a monopoly that is government-run can be created and then there will be NO competition.

rit56

join:2000-12-01
New York, NY

Re: Progress???

there are monopolies of private companies now that were created by the FCC in the name of privation and it is all bullshit. the only areas they wire are those with large populations while ignoring parts of states and cities they don't see a large enough profit margin. they block cities from covering outlying communities by the same tired old argument that it will mean higher taxes. they raise prices at will... I think it's time the government got involved.

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

What you fail to understand is that setting up a municipal network is not the same as getting into content business/entertainment business.

What you also don't understand is that when such thing is set up you set and environment that is healthy for competition from multiple content providers.

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by ppcpunk See Profile:

What you fail to understand is that setting up a municipal network is not the same as getting into content business/entertainment business.

What you also don't understand is that when such thing is set up you set and environment that is healthy for competition from multiple content providers.
Not if you consistently undercut and undermine the competition.

Ever study economics? Heard of capitalism?

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

Re: Progress???

I don't see a need for competition between various companies trying to provide a wire to my house for services.

Why not one wire that can deliver all the services? Why not do it once and let all the companies play on an equal field?

Yes if taking out the fact a private company will make less money because they don't get to use the public rights of way to setup their own private networks to be able to charge us whatever they want and only upgrade services when they absolutely have to well then yeah that's "undermining and undercutting the competition."

But then I wonder why it is we have municipal airports? You think those are a bad idea too?

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by ppcpunk See Profile:

I don't see a need for competition between various companies trying to provide a wire to my house for services.

Why not one wire that can deliver all the services? Why not do it once and let all the companies play on an equal field?

Yes if taking out the fact a private company will make less money because they don't get to use the public rights of way to setup their own private networks to be able to charge us whatever they want and only upgrade services when they absolutely have to well then yeah that's "undermining and undercutting the competition."

But then I wonder why it is we have municipal airports? You think those are a bad idea too?
Explain how a municipal airport is the same as residential web access, then we can talk.

Further, no company wants to share "one wire." Is that what you think a muni is? The muni's fiber is for the MUNI ALONE. It isn't throwing them up so it can share them with the incumbents.

Are you not understanding what we're talking about?

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

Re: Progress???

You don't understand the analogy. You say show you how web access is like an airport. I submit to you that it is not and never claimed that it was, which is in fact the whole point.

The municipally ran network is used by private companies such as whoever your local bell is or companies like earthlink, speakeasy, AOL, so on and so forth.

When you say web access you need a company to get you onto the web - just having a network all over your town won't get you anywhere except all over town - not on the world wide web. Just like having an airport for a city won't get you anywhere if you don't have private companies giving you airplane access to fly anywhere.

And you are just dead wrong about companies not wanting to share one wire - It happens right now with dial up access and dsl access and land line service and even going to be more the case when IPTV goes into service over the ILEC networks.

Also it happens RIGHT now in places where they have municipal fiber places like grant county »www.gcpud.org/zipp/providers.htm where they have all these companies you say don't want to share one wire, providing many different high speed providers, two cable tv providers, three telephone providers, and two other providers for what looks to be some kind of security service.

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

Those companies in the link you provided are locals and really don't compare to the incumbents such as Comcast, TWC, Charter et al. And do you honestly think any of those will want to share infrastructure with Verizon and the other ILEC's?

The municipal networks are being built to COMPETE WITH THE INCUMBANTS, not give them a happy free network to play around with. Did someone beat you silly today or something?

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

Re: Progress???

Do I honestly think any what company will want to share what infrastructure with Verizon?

Do I think any company will want to share fiber to your house with verizon - a company like say AOL? Uhhh yes? Why not? You can choose to not make any money or you can choose to make money... I don't understand what you are saying.

Municipal networks are not built to compete with - they are built and they happen to compete with - if those companies like TWC/Comcast/whoever want to get on the network and provide service I highly doubt the muni would decline to have more competition.

The network is there to provide a network for private companies to provider services - not to make tons of money on over priced cable tv.

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by ppcpunk See Profile:

Do I honestly think any what company will want to share what infrastructure with Verizon?

Do I think any company will want to share fiber to your house with verizon - a company like say AOL? Uhhh yes? Why not? You can choose to not make any money or you can choose to make money... I don't understand what you are saying.

Municipal networks are not built to compete with - they are built and they happen to compete with - if those companies like TWC/Comcast/whoever want to get on the network and provide service I highly doubt the muni would decline to have more competition.

The network is there to provide a network for private companies to provider services - not to make tons of money on over priced cable tv.
This is coming from you, not them though. AOL and Comcast are two VERY different entities with two VERY different products. There are plenty of ISP's that love to share bandwidth. The big boys (who 95% of the time will be the incumbants) want their own networks, and they want them to themselves. The muni thus provides the infrastructure and the service (as it has in 75%+ of all buildouts thus far) and provides a pricing structure that is predatory to the incumbants.

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

Re: Progress???

That is coming from me - But I think when faced with making no money or some money they will choose some money over none.

Now regarding their networks - yes they do want their own networks but guess what - you don't get everything you want in life just like you don't get to use public rights of way if the public doesn't want you to.

The only reason they get to have their private networks is because we let them - it is not a right it is a privilege.

Yes it is predatory to their pricing structure... But then again their pricing structure could be said to be predatory on the people they serve and get to enjoy for the most part because of quasi-monopolies and yes I know over builders can - when the franchise agreements are up - come in and build another network but we all know that isn't going to happen but we do know where it does happen cable rates are lower and they still make profits hand over fist. So I don't think anyone cares about anything being "predatory to their pricing structure."

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by ppcpunk See Profile:

That is coming from me - But I think when faced with making no money or some money they will choose some money over none.

Now regarding their networks - yes they do want their own networks but guess what - you don't get everything you want in life just like you don't get to use public rights of way if the public doesn't want you to.

The only reason they get to have their private networks is because we let them - it is not a right it is a privilege.

Yes it is predatory to their pricing structure... But then again their pricing structure could be said to be predatory on the people they serve and get to enjoy for the most part because of quasi-monopolies and yes I know over builders can - when the franchise agreements are up - come in and build another network but we all know that isn't going to happen but we do know where it does happen cable rates are lower and they still make profits hand over fist. So I don't think anyone cares about anything being "predatory to their pricing structure."
What you have said makes no sense economically or otherwise. Everyone viewing this thread is now dumber having seen it. Take some high school business courses, and once again we'll talk.

Predatory pricing is not against the consumer in the beginning...but it stifles competition in the long run by eliminating, well, the competition unfairly. It's illegal when corporations do it, it should be illegal when muni's do it. The muni's sole purpose is to be almost predatory to the incumbants' bottom lines.

And who ever said that the incumbants' franchises and rights-of-way were in any danger of being revoked?

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA

Re: Progress???

Congratulations you have just lost the argument because you had to resort to insulting me and not making any logical response - I also find it funny you tell me to take high school business courses - Is that all the training you have had - is this all the education I will need to understand this then? Wow - if I could only take a class then I could be as smart as you!

Cable tv content providers would still be around no one is eliminating them they could just as easy provide content over the muni network. How is it they will be eliminated? They will be competeing against other content providers... you don't make much sense.
fiberone6

join:2005-01-07
Lafayette, LA
ok, lets let halliburton drill all the oil. Would that be good for business or is several companies better.

pcscdma
Chocobo Chocobo Random Battle
Premium
join:2004-01-14
Winterset, IA
clubs:

said by hailinfantry See Profile:

How about the private companies bring the town into the 21st century?
They aren't. That's the whole point of this.

said by hailinfantry See Profile:

It doesn't foster fair competition, because their pricing can and probably will be predatory since operating costs can be fortified with muni bonds and tax dollars before becoming self-sustaining.
Stop right there. Did I hear those nasty words 'tax dollars'?
Bad.

There are corporate bonds too ya know.
--
/sbin/shutdown -h now

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Progress???

said by pcscdma See Profile:

said by hailinfantry See Profile:

How about the private companies bring the town into the 21st century?
They aren't. That's the whole point of this.

How is this town behind other towns with similar demographics? They have access to at least 3Mbps DSL (in areas that have the loop requirement met) and Cable. The coverage wouldn't be much better in a muni system as they'd have to make the investment to hang and bury the fiber...not to mention light it all.

Wills

join:2001-01-03
Port Charlotte, FL

"Neal Breakfield, an engineer in the oil industry says, "When you get down to it, the only thing that people need when it comes to fiber is fiber in their diet. Nobody needs a fiber optic system, people need good telecommunications services."

So you have an engineer in the OIL INDUSTRY head up your citizens group against fiber.

And take a look at this winners picture...

They shouldn't have fiber, these people are WAY too smart for fiber.
--
Abit VP-6 twin 800EB's @ 1002 Mhz.Proud member of the XDC.
MonkeyPox4

join:2004-12-21
Lafayette, LA

Re: Progress???

I LIVE in Lafayette, that Breakfield guy is a douchebag. Plus, it looks like he combed his hair with his foot. I, for one, would LOVE a fiber loop in my neighborhood. I would gladly tell Bellsouth to go take a flying leap.

Carl
Premium
join:2004-07-21
Krotz Springs, LA
·Charter Pipeline
·AT&T Southeast

Re: Progress???

said by MonkeyPox4 See Profile:

I LIVE in Lafayette, that Breakfield guy is a douchebag. Plus, it looks like he combed his hair with his foot. I, for one, would LOVE a fiber loop in my neighborhood. I would gladly tell Bellsouth to go take a flying leap.
I used to live in Lafayette, sadly I moved. I support this plan. You're right, Breakfield IS a douchebag. I may consider going back to Lafayette (due to work) so hpefully they approve this.
--
Carl Smith, formerly known as crstec.
fiberone6

join:2005-01-07
Lafayette, LA

Have you ever met a halliburton engineer. They are all duche bags but they all have more education and knowledge of technology than a Southern (jags,williams ) graduate and a criminal justice major(Randy Menard) who is an x-cop that no body wanted around anymore. I put my money with a winner. Halliburton is all about profit. Lus is not. I work for a government agency and they do not really care about making money or saving money. Gov't only cares if it is in the budget.
nbreakfield

join:2005-01-03
Lafayette, LA
CHICKENPOX:

Post with a real name. You are a coward.

Neal Breakfield

Blasterbator
Sent By Grocery Clerks

join:2001-02-20
Jackson, MS
Well, I can't argue with that... fiber IS pretty much worthless without good telecommunications services

pcscdma
Chocobo Chocobo Random Battle
Premium
join:2004-01-14
Winterset, IA
clubs:


dumbass
The part I particularly enjoyed was
said by Neal Breakfield:

Nobody needs a fiber optic system, people need good telecommunications services.
I thought that was really funny!
--
/sbin/shutdown -h now

amenite
The Soylent - It's People
Premium
join:2002-11-21
Ridgewood, NJ
clubs:

Re: Progress???

Alright then.
flushls

join:2004-11-02
Joyce, WA
and all this time I thought M. Powell said that.

FLMAO
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

I live in Lafayette as well. I can assure you that Neal Breakfield and Bill Leblanc are in the minority and that they will have a very difficult time getting the signatures that they need. At a public meeting this week, they couldn't even tell the council how many signatures they need or what exactly the petition was going to be.

I have a friend who emailed Neal 2 days ago asking for information on the petition. My friend is opposed the plan (knows that he is not on the winning team) was disappointed to find that he still hasn't received a response. He sent it to the address on »www.fiber411.com site.

It is my personal belief that these guys saw their name in the press and felt like they needed to feed their ego's by getting some more ink. During the public meetings 50+ people spoke in favor of the city moving forward - 3-8 people spoke against it. I have to say 3-8 because some of the people who spoke were so unfocused that you couldn't tell if they were for or against it because of faulty facts given to them.
nbreakfield

join:2005-01-03
Lafayette, LA

Re: Progress???

If you want real information instead of mindless jabs and insults, go to www.fiber411.com.

We are in fact finding it very easy to get signatures on the petition because people really do feel that we should be able to vote on the matter. Approximately 8 out of 10 eligible registered voters in the community are signing the petition. Most people consider it a no-brainer. We have a lot of people who are in favor of the project signing the petition because they recognize that the community as a whole should have a voice.

We have over 2,600 signatures on the petition and it is growing every day!

Neal Breakfield

richk_1957
If ..Then..Else
Premium
join:2001-04-11
Minas Tirith

Oil engineers tell us what to do in communications

"Neal Breakfield, an engineer in the oil industry says, "When you get down to it, the only thing that people need when it comes to fiber is fiber in their diet. Nobody needs a fiber optic system, people need good telecommunications services."

And what do you think setting up a fiber network will do??

Blasterbator
Sent By Grocery Clerks

join:2001-02-20
Jackson, MS

Re: Oil engineers tell us what to do in communicat

Something has to light that fiber.
fiberone6

join:2005-01-07
Lafayette, LA

Re: Oil engineers tell us what to do in communicat

Communications=electricity=physics=engineer=Knowledge
tdkyo

join:2002-12-07
Rochester, NY
I don't think he even seen a fiber optic cable in his life. (even via TV,books,pictures)

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY


1 edit

Re: Oil engineers tell us what to do in communicat

said by tdkyo See Profile:


I don't think he even seen a fiber optic cable in his life. (even via TV,books,pictures)
How does assuming that provide anything to this discussion? It only provides space-filling text.

prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA

Halliburton wants the $$$

Neal B. works for Halliburton, the big outfit raking in the $$$ in Iraq. Google his name and you'll find him pretty easily. I'm emailing him my opinion concerning his opinion.

See 6 replies to this post

b_zen
Premium
join:2002-07-24
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:

Legislators

Do any of the legislators read these posts? let alone BroadbandReports.com?

If yes, they wouldn't buy the .INC shit.

F.

See 14 replies to this post

White Noise

join:2004-12-04
Bow, WA
·wavebroadband

Private vs. Public

IMO, this is yet another one of the many debates that one has after someone, in times gone by, forgot the difference between infrastructure and the private sector. This slippery slope down which we find ourselves... well, slipping, could all have been avoided if someone was paying attention "back then."

Roads, for example, are infrastructure and are maintained by various levels of government. Electricity is infrastructure. oops. Telecommunications is infrastructure. oops again. Etc.

Now, it still gets tricky when one attempts to determine what level of service is to be provided, but beyond a certain point, it's up to the local people to decide. If they want fiber, let them light fiber. If the private sector wants to purchase access to that fiber, great.

Finally, there are no end of reasons to be angry at telcos. They do a lot of irritating stuff. But we did privatize them, and they exist in large part to make money. Given that, should we blame them for not investing their money where there is little or no return? Perhaps that last "are you capitalist or aren't you?" question is off topic...

Cheers.

See 27 replies to this post
jdd481

join:2002-07-29
Lafayette, LA

Opposition Movement

I live in Lafayette myself, and the two baffoons heading up this movement are complete tools. Bill Leblanc, who claims he has piles of "research" and "facts", is one of those guys. Somehow he drew the conclusion that wireless networks can outperform a fiber network from his extensive research. His "facts" are nothing more than out of context quotes from corporate officers. I guess it must be true if it's a quote from an Intel CEO. This guy is also a home builder, so I have a feeling Mr. Leblanc doesn't want to have to worry about installing CAT5e when building future homes. The other guy, Neal Breakfield, is a self proclaimed "techno geek". Breakfield has no real reason for wanting to oppose this. He seems to be a conspiracy theorist with the belief that the government is always out to get its citizens.

hailinfantry
Bizarro Quinn
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Opposition Movement

said by jdd481 See Profile:

I live in Lafayette myself, and the two baffoons heading up this movement are complete tools. Bill Leblanc, who claims he has piles of "research" and "facts", is one of those guys. Somehow he drew the conclusion that wireless networks can outperform a fiber network from his extensive research. His "facts" are nothing more than out of context quotes from corporate officers. I guess it must be true if it's a quote from an Intel CEO. This guy is also a home builder, so I have a feeling Mr. Leblanc doesn't want to have to worry about installing CAT5e when building future homes. The other guy, Neal Breakfield, is a self proclaimed "techno geek". Breakfield has no real reason for wanting to oppose this. He seems to be a conspiracy theorist with the belief that the government is always out to get its citizens.
I'd be willing to wager that said Intel CEO is at least more well-versed in their technology than you are. Heck, he's probably more well-versed in fiber optic technologies as well. All you're doing is steaming and ASSuming, which is leading to you talking smack about people you know very little about.
jdd481

join:2002-07-29
Lafayette, LA

Re: Opposition Movement

Perhaps... but claiming wireless technologies kill fiber optic technologies is just wrong, no matter who says it. And yes, I have watched the town council meetings. They are tools.

ppcpunk

join:2001-02-11
Davenport, IA
And it is a fact that we all know CEO's don't lie.
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

And why is it we don't need bandwidth?

This message pretty much says it all.

From: KATC - KATC 3 Home
Posted At: Thursday, December 30, 2004 10:07 AM
Posted To: Inbox
Conversation: Tsunami Video Removal
Subject: Tsunami Video Removal

»www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=2747574

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kpkeller

join:2004-12-30
Sugar Land, TX

Broadband in Lafayette

Hello All:

I happened across these postings purely by accident. My family and I moved to Houston, TX from Lafayette in 2001 after spending 15 years living in Acadiana. My wife and I are U.S.L. Alumni also.

I see that the city of Lafayette is trying to get into the broadband business now?

Some of you are against it (public dollars and all) and others are for it.

Here are my thoughts:

Having lived here in Houston now since 2001, private industry has done a great job at bringing broadband to the masses. I remember how long it took bellsouth to get DSL to our home and we only lived a few blocks from Lafayette High.

Here in the greater Houston Metro area, phone, satellite, and cable companies are competing for broadband dollars and the municipal govts aren't even thinking of getting involved.

Get this:

Time Warner Communications offers the following services:

digital cable (movies on-demand)
2mbit internet (768k upstream)
home security monitoring
digital phone service ($35.95/month [no additional fees])
The phone service has virtual area codes so that the folks back in Lafayette can call us here in Houston and dial 337 + our number and receive NO long distance charges.

Phone companies:

Alltel:

DSL
local and long distance

SBC (Southwestern Bell):

DSL
local and long dist.

Verizon:

DSL
local and long distance ($56.00/month unlimited long dist)

Not only that, the phone companies have partnered to complete the fiber runs throughout the greater Houston area.

By summer 2005, they will be in a position to offer all of the same features that Time Warner is offering (including TV) at fiber optic speeds.

Granted, we now live in an area where there are about 4 million people, so it's a much bigger market than Acadiana.

I just hope that whatever the City/Parish govt decides to do does not impose too large a financial tax burden on all of you, but having the technology in place opens up a realm of additional, beneficial possibilities for you folks back home.

As a software developer, I can and do actually do much of my dev work at home on my laptop while vpn'd into the office and running terminal services. I can also provide customers with direct support via vpn and webex over my broadband connection at home with no delay.

Don't slow down the progress of getting technology back home. It's important to get more competition so that the prices can come down.
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

Re: Broadband in Lafayette

Lus is talking about a $90 package for:

- 5-10 Mbs of data (still not decided - but could go to 15)
- Data would be up & down
- Digital video with the typical cable package (premium channels would be extra)
- Telephone via VOIP

I've even heard that they are talking about partnering with a wireless company to build out a meshnetwork to compliment the fiber service.

On another subject... Louisiana is building out LONI (Louisiana Optical Network) this will connect the universities togather via fiber... Louisiana also bought into the National LamBdaRail. Imagine this... LUS FTTH network connects to LONI which connects to the National LambDaRail. What type of researchers do you think that we could attract to our community? Couple all of this with a $20 million visualization center and a vibrant community of entrapeneurs we could be on track to build out a new industry in cajun country.
kpkeller

join:2004-12-30
Sugar Land, TX

Re: Broadband in Lafayette

What type of researchers do you think that we could attract to our community? Not sure. One thing that really upset me during Mike Foster's administration back home is that he allowed the oil and gas industry to leave LA and move here to Houston. For decades, they plundered the oil and gas resources of our home-state and yet the state govt did little to nothing to make their decision to remain there more attractive.

Right now, Houston has ALL the majors and large independents located here. The govt here (state and local) have made Houston a very attractive option for them. It's not just oil and gas either, it's financial services and medical as well.

The new governor (Kathleen Blanco) has her work cut out for her because oil and gas companies aren't coming back to LA for the foreseeable future.

Business folks here just (unfortunately) don't see LA as an option. To them (just like the oil companies), they see it as a cost.

I truly hope that some day, my wife and I can return home, but I've got to tell you, I see more and more displaced Louisiana folks here every week and it's because they want to make more money.

Good luck to yall.
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

Re: Broadband in Lafayette

We have to create that opportunity. We still have a few independants left in town. Companies like Stone Energy are committed to staying here. The community must work to develop the Acadiana technology immersion center into a first class facility which can cater to O&G, Medical, and coastal erosion research/development.

As a small community we need to be flexible and focused on moving faster than the bigger communities to build economic development opportunities which provide an environment that makes it a no brainer to grow a business in. When we have that environment - businesses will relocate here.
kpkeller

join:2004-12-30
Sugar Land, TX

Re: Broadband in Lafayette

GREAT! Do you think ULL (I still call it U.S.L.) can contribute (or have they)?
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

More Lafayette Fiber News

Looks like this may have come from USA Today.
»www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=114841
wierdo

join:2001-02-16
Tulsa, OK
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Teliax VOIP

The point isn't just residential

The point is to attract businesses of the type that require cost-effective access to bandwidth. It makes your life a lot easier if you have cheap access to high-bandwidth crosstown connectivity. Especially so if your city is large enough to already have IP providers with POPs there. If you've ever priced a several mile OC-3 from the telco, you'd understand how it makes it much cheaper for a business to locate somewhere that they can get to the service providers more cheaply.

Additionally, it fosters competition in the content markets, especially in small business. Again, the bandwidth cost to be an IP provider, for example, goes down. The cost of the network for you goes down, not because of predatory pricing, but because you, the video provider, the phone provider, the security services, and the companies taking advantage of high-speed data site-to-site within town are all paying for the one network, not a bunch of seperate networks.

Beyond the data provider, the video provider market can multiply, both by rebroadcast agreements with other multichannel video providers along with some of their own content, or by completely new cable companies, much as the wireless cable industry sprang up for a time. More competition in these markets is a significant benefit to everyone but the video providers already in the market. The government fostered competition first by defining a video standard, and by opening new frequencies to TV, and then licensing the spectrum for DBS. What's wrong with a little competition? The existing providers are free to use the network, after all.

Phone providers can also multiply in a similar manner. Look at the explosion of voice providers caused by the government's forcing of the Bells to open their local lines to lease by other companies. This can only increase in a situation where there is an impartial entity controlling a network for many CLECs to use (and the ILEC, if they like). Rather than the lackadaisical attitude often taken by ma bell employees towards fixing CLEC problems, all will be treated equally, rather than having one pig be better than the rest, as it were.

And it helps attract high-tech companies to town.

Seems like a hard to lose situation, for the low cost involved. After all, Southeast Colorado Power did this over a much wider area than any municipal build four or five years ago back when fiber prices were much higher. Surely you don't expect to bankrupt the town with midsize towns building fiber networks in their cities.
Fiber2home

join:2004-12-30
Lafayette, LA

Re: The point isn't just residential

Good point. The Lafayette FTTH plan is actually a FTTH/B plan. People have a tendancy to drop the Business part off because they are more pationate about the home aspect. A major driver behind this has been the business community looking for lower prices on bandwidth and alternatives to phone service. Most don't really care about the TV services available in their business.
Forums » Louisiana Fiber Debate


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