arstechnica.com— FCC Commissioner Michael Copps shows up in Chicago to argue that US broadband policy is "so poor that every citizen in the country ought to be outraged."
Aug 3, 2007View in Crawl 4
I'm glad to see some one from the FCC lashing out over the gross level of consolidation and deterioration going on in the broadband and media industries. Too many politicians embrace 'de-regulation' with so much excitement that they wet themselves, and don't realize what is really going on. Open markets and Laissez-faire only work when there is abundant competition in the marketplace. But too many corporations merge and conspire to keep standards low and prices high. When there are physical constraints involved (like laying wire for phone and cable lines), it is nearly impossible for a newcomer to get into the game. That is why these companies are Utilities. The government regulation is actually supposed to protect the consumers when there isn't any other way for us to fight back. This is why we need the FCC - and why we need to keep it working for us, not the companies.
There was an article a while about about several billions of dollars of tax payers money that was supposed to go to improving the internet for the public good but it was basically improperly handled or something and therefore... we are way down on the list of countries with internet access and decent speeds. argh where is it
I'm paying $35 a month for 1.5Mbps/384Kbps. I have no other choices for broadband. If I lived about a mile in a different direction I could get $50/month cable, but that's it. That's the case in most markets in the US--two vendors for broadband. Whole lot of competition there... /sarcasm
You do realize that Ron paul would nothing to help this problem. His stance would be that government should not get involved. Since the current monopoly is so powerful, without government intervention these monopolies would only get worse.
I swear that if the Internet is ever to be controlled through the few corporations, our democratic society as we know it will disappear.... If ever should truth needs to spread like a wildfire, it will be snugged out before even touching the next patch of dead grass .... DON'T pass our mistakes to our children if you should care .....
salviatiAug 3, 2007
I'm glad to see some one from the FCC lashing out over the gross level of consolidation and deterioration going on in the broadband and media industries. Too many politicians embrace 'de-regulation' with so much excitement that they wet themselves, and don't realize what is really going on. Open markets and Laissez-faire only work when there is abundant competition in the marketplace. But too many corporations merge and conspire to keep standards low and prices high. When there are physical constraints involved (like laying wire for phone and cable lines), it is nearly impossible for a newcomer to get into the game. That is why these companies are Utilities. The government regulation is actually supposed to protect the consumers when there isn't any other way for us to fight back. This is why we need the FCC - and why we need to keep it working for us, not the companies.
almalax19Aug 3, 2007
Good Riddance!
notigAug 3, 2007
There was an article a while about about several billions of dollars of tax payers money that was supposed to go to improving the internet for the public good but it was basically improperly handled or something and therefore... we are way down on the list of countries with internet access and decent speeds. argh where is it
venom8599Aug 4, 2007
I'm paying $35 a month for 1.5Mbps/384Kbps. I have no other choices for broadband. If I lived about a mile in a different direction I could get $50/month cable, but that's it. That's the case in most markets in the US--two vendors for broadband. Whole lot of competition there... /sarcasm
muchachoburachoAug 4, 2007
You do realize that Ron paul would nothing to help this problem. His stance would be that government should not get involved. Since the current monopoly is so powerful, without government intervention these monopolies would only get worse.
hmoobgolianAug 7, 2007
I swear that if the Internet is ever to be controlled through the few corporations, our democratic society as we know it will disappear.... If ever should truth needs to spread like a wildfire, it will be snugged out before even touching the next patch of dead grass .... DON'T pass our mistakes to our children if you should care .....
dot19408Aug 7, 2007
DIE bungoman! Die!!!I'm posting this via Western Union telegraph...
woknbluesAug 9, 2007
"Its a lot harder to change governments."-but a hell of a lot more satisfying.