FCC Ruling on DSL Re-Monopolizes Phone Networks Says California ISPs
SACRAMENTO, CA (ContentDesk) August 8, 2005 -- The California ISP Association (CISPA), the largest state association of Internet service providers, reacted today to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's ruling today that high-speed DSL Internet lines should be classified as an "information service" instead of a telecommunications service. The ruling would allow large phone companies to close their DSL networks and exclude independent ISP's from the DSL market. The result is that most ISPs would be eliminated from the broadband market."The FCC's version of what it calls "deregulation" is simply just a re-monopolization of a network that has been publicly regulated and paid for by rate payers for more than 100 years. This is not leveling the DSL playing field.
The FCC is putting a fence around the playing field and giving the keys to a few phone companies with armies of paid lobbyists, letting the phone companies decide who can play in the broadband game.Consumers and businesses need and deserve the choice they enjoy today.
But the FCC's ruling will take away their right to choose broadband providers and services," says Dane Jasper, President, California ISP Association."Today's FCC decision will effectively eliminate the benefits of competition for millions of Americans.
The FCC essentially turns control of Internet access over to a handful of phone companies and cable companies. Existing law requires the FCC to regulate communications services in the public interest, which means protecting consumers, encouraging economic development, and ensuring that competition is allowed to develop. Instead, the FCC has shirked its responsibility, allowing phone companies to put out of business the very companies who drive innovation in the Internet," says Mehrdad Saberi, Chairman, California ISP Association"In 2002, President Bush signed Executive Order 13272, requiring federal agencies to implement policies protecting small businesses when writing new rules and regulations.
President Bush's own Small Business Agenda states that every new business starts with an idea for a better product or process, which has been the driving force of Internet innovation. Not a single innovation related to the Internet has come from the former Bell phone companies.
In fact, when DSL was being launched by other smaller companies, the Bells continued to insist that DSL would threaten the quality of voice calls.""Innovation becomes reality only when confident entrepreneurs are willing to take economic risks and ISPs have taken this risk -- to the betterment of the entire economy.
Phone and cable companies were not even pioneers in the Internet but they now seek to control access to it.
Small businesses are the heart of the American economy because they drive innovation.
In fact, new firms are established on the very premise that they can do a better job and recognize that a one-size-fits all approach is not good for business and innovation.""A few legacy carriers cannot continue to benefit from valuable government grants and licenses, including the use of public rights-of-way, and be allowed to extend those rights in a way that bars ISPs from offering their service to the public.""The FCC is entrusted with protecting consumers, encouraging economic development, and ensuring that competition is allowed to develop, rather than being quashed by a de-regulated monopoly. Already, we are seeing the Bells move to increase prices, and without regulation, small business will be harmed, thousands of ISPs will be forced out business, highly-skilled workers will lose their jobs and consumers will lose the choice of platform for broadband services and support.""Deregulation will be bad for America and CISPA strongly discourage any attempt to turn over control of this nations broadband development to the phone and cable companies. The FCC will sacrifice many small businesses, consumer choice, and any hope of catching up with our foreign counterparts!" says Mark Esser, VP Board of Directors, California ISP AssociationAbout CISPAThe California ISP Association, Inc. (www.cispa.org) has more than 100 independent ISP members representing more than 3 million California consumers and businesses. Advocating for the interests of ISPs and their customers since 2000, CISPA provides a unified voice to address legislative, regulatory and consumer issues as well as to support innovation within the ISP industry.For more information Contact:Mike JackmanExecutive DirectorCalifornia ISP Association415-388-3216orMark Esser (e-mail protected from spam bots) or 310-325-5610Vice PresidentBoard of DirectorsCalifornia ISP Association.
Businesses And Individuals Save With VOIP, But What IS It?
Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin
VOIP is a hot topic these days, but what exacty is VOIP and VOIP service?
It is a method of using the internet to carry phone calls.
The term, "VOIP", stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.
Why use a VOIP service?
Probably cost is one of the main considerations as VOIP is less expensive than many other telephone service options.
The cost of VOIP service is similar to the cost of sending email.
You must pay to have an internet service, but after that, your usage is free.
In some instances, savings of up to 90% over regular long distance and other telephone services can be recognized.
Can my business use VOIP service?
Anybody with an internet connection has the basic capability to use a VOIP service, and benefit from the cost savings associated with VOIP.
Can VOIP be used for long distance calls, and how about international long distance?
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Dsl > Businesses And Individuals Save With VOIP, But What IS It?
PC Velocity Offered with Privasafe's Software Bundle
Fort Lee, NJ (ContentDesk) August 3, 2005 -- Privasafe, a consumer products company offering subscription e-mail and ISP services, also offers a suite of software that includes PC Velocity internet accelerator from Logical Innovations. The entire bundle, including anti-virus software, spyware protection, a pop-up blocker and PC Cleanser comes free with a standard monthly subscription to Privasafe.PC Velocity is a revolutionary new software suite that includes three applications working together to provide for a drastic improvement in computer experience:* The first boosts internet connection and web browser up to 300% * The second optimizes RAM and virtual memory, making the PC faster and more efficient* The third optimizes Windows by cleaning unneeded files and file systems from your desktopAlmost any PC can benefit from improved performance, and PC Velocity will work with any connection that can be sped up, including dial-up, cable, DSL, and even T1 lines. The standard Privasafe subscription...
PC Velocity Offered with Privasafe's Software Bundle
Dsl > PC Velocity Offered with Privasafe's Software Bundle
Visionary Rolls out ADSL2+ in Casper
Casper, Wyoming (ContentDesk) March 19, 2005 -- Visionary Communications has deployed ADSL2+ in Casper, bringing the fastest broadband technology to Wyoming's second largest city.
ADSL2+ is a Digital Subscriber Line technology that delivers broadband internet at eight times the speed of cable internet.ADSL2+ allows the company to deliver up to 25Mbps of internet bandwidth to customers within a two mile range of downtown.
The speed is the equivalent of 16 T1 lines, or 466 simultaneous dialup modem connections."Broadband is about advertising at this stage.
Cable advertises they are faster than MOST DSL, and telephone companies advertise they are TYPICALLY faster than cable internet," says Brian Worthen, CEO and President of Visionary.
"This technology forces cable and telco to add more disclaimers, because Visionary's DSL is the fastest broadband in Casper."The company has also introduced a bonded DSL that allows a business to be served by eight lines...
Dsl > Visionary Rolls out ADSL2+ in Casper
WiMAX Facades Unsullied Challenge to Broadband and DSL
In the US a technology known as WiMAX is being conceptualized that will make high-speed wireless Internet services available in areas much larger than a typical Wi-fi coffee bar. These wireless hotspots would match the size of Philadelphia or a rural community in the American heartland.
WiMAX would be developed to spread Internet facilities across cities, using radio networks with much wider ranges than Wi-fi, a system available in coffee shops. However, it is questionable how far this service would be commercially viable.
Once WiMAX is in force, some broadband operators already have plans to use it as a way to expand their networks, and city administrators are ready to offer broadband services cheap in public places such as parks or low-income housing areas.
WiMAX which should be capable of delivering 50 megabits to 100 megabits per second is therefore much superior to DSL and cable. Analysts therefore believe...
Dsl > WiMAX Facades Unsullied Challenge to Broadband and DSL