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Telcos Want Big Subsidies, Not Line-Sharing

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the give-us-money-and-leave-us-alone dept.

It seems that a recent survey of global broadband practices by Harvard's Berkman Center at the behest of the FCC has stirred the telecommunications hornet's nest. Both AT&T and Verizon are up in arms about some of the conclusions (except the ones that suggest offering large direct public subsidies). "Harvard's Berkman Center study of global broadband practices, produced at the FCC's request, is an 'embarrassingly slanted econometric analysis that violates professional statistical standards and is insufficiently reliable to provide meaningful guidance,' declares AT&T. The study does nothing but promote the lead author's 'own extreme views,' warns a response from Verizon Wireless. Most importantly, it 'should not be relied upon by the FCC in formulating a National Broadband Plan,' concludes the United States Telecom Association. Reviewing the slew of criticisms, Berkman's blog wryly notes that the report seems to have been 'a mini stimulus act for telecommunications lawyers and consultants.'"

5 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. We paid for the lines. Share them or get off. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Informative

    In most cases, the "lines" (optical etc) are paid for with tax payer dollars. If the telecos cant play nice, we're just going to have to take our toys and go home.

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  2. Re:I see what they did there... by Nadaka · · Score: 5, Informative

    The internet industry was already given tax money to implement infrastructure once. That money was distributed to shareholders as profit. And since there was no punishment clause, they never had to implement the infrastructure that they agreed to.

  3. No problem, give them all the subsidies they want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just require companies taking subsidies to cap wages including top executives at 100K a year and bonuses at 5K a year. They'll squeal like pigs and no one will touch the subsidies. Something similar happened with the bailout money. When there were no strings attached everyone wanted their share. Once they started insisting on wage caps suddenly no one needed the money.

  4. Linesharing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    At least here in Finland line-sharing did wonders to consumers. It lowered prices and allowed small companies the possibility to offer broadband with completely different business models. Competition also forced the big ones to improve customer service quality. I can't think of any downsides for the customer.

  5. Re:Attn: Telcos by Hatta · · Score: 5, Informative

    The taxpayer gave you Millions if not Billions back in the 90's for infrastructure upgrades

    That's over 200 billion.

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