more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Gerry Faulhaber <gerry-faulhaber () mchsi com>
Date: October 16, 2004 12:48:27 AM GMT+01:00
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power 
lines

Dave [for IP, if you like]---

Re: Brett Glass' reaction to BPL:

"...three large, entrenched monopolies"?  Just a reminder: monopoly 
means one firm, not three.  Which is generally more competitive than 
two.  Which firms (cable and telco) seem to be pretty rivalrous, at 
least here in Philadelphia.  I welcome this third potential entrant, 
although it is not my experience that power distribution companies are 
terrifically innovative. BPL has the potential to bring to broadband 
market what AT&T Wireless brought to the cellular market: sharp and 
intense price/feature competition. That's why Powell's high on this, 
and it's why I'm high on it.

It seems to me the FCC is moving relatively quickly to get remaining 
spectrum either into the market or into some form of commons (Part 15 
spectrum), for purposes of wireless broadband (which the FCC has been 
championing for years: MMDS, etc.).  Of course "quickly" for any 
government agency means pretty long, but they are definitely working 
the problem, despite Mr. Glass' moaning.

Not getting spectrum out at prices ISPs can afford for wireless BB?  Is 
the FCC supposed to be the ISPs mommy?  The licensed spectrum will go 
at auction and those who value it most will get it.  If ISPs think it's 
valuable for wireless BB that will be reflected in their bids.  If they 
don't, they won't, and they'll be out of the game.  They are running 
with the Big Dogs; if they can't keep up, tough.  I'm high on wireless 
BB; we're seeing just the beginning with Verizon Wireless' currently 
national rollout of 1xEVDO; when Intel gets its WiMax trucks rolling, 
that'll blow the market wide open.

And complaining that WiFi is in Part 15 spectrum so that there is 
potential interference from cordless phones?  Good God, the tech 
community has been championing commons spectrum, telling us how 
technology will solve the interference problem.  And now we are whining 
that there's interference at 2.4 GHz?  No kidding; what do you think 
happens in a commons?  Rather than whining that ISPs don't have 
dedicated spectrum for BB, why not actually implement the tech 
community's claim to be able to solve interference with appropriate 
hardware/software protocols so we can use commons/Part 15 spectrum?

Professor Gerald R. Faulhaber
Business and Public Policy Dept.
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104

----- Original Message ----- From: "David Farber" <dave () farber net>
To: "Ip" <ip () v2 listbox com>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 5:46 PM
Subject: [IP] more on FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines


> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Brett Glass <brett () lariat org>
> Date: October 15, 2004 3:44:57 PM GMT+01:00
> To: dave () farber net, Ip <ip () v2 listbox com>
> Subject: Re: [IP] FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
>
> David:
>
> The truly sad thing about this development is that -- as with 
> telephone and cable lines -- the FCC is opting to give utility 
> monopolies the ability to prevent other providers from using their 
> facilities. Thus, in many cases, a consumer may have a choice between 
> at most three large, entrenched monopolies when seeking wired 
> broadband service, and in most cases only one or two. At the same 
> time, the FCC is continuing to hobble wireless broadband by refusing 
> to reserve spectrum exclusively for that purpose or provide licensed 
> spectrum that it is practical for ISPs to buy. This means that 
> wireless cannot be competitive in terms of reliability. A cordless 
> phone can, without warning, disrupt Internet service to an entire 
> building or even to the entire area served by an ISP's wireless access 
> point.
>
> If things continue on their present course, the FCC will be awarding 
> to large, entrenched, rapacious corporations a monopoly on reliable 
> broadband access. Good for the GOP's corporate patrons, but bad for 
> the rest of us.
>
> --Brett Glass
>
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