User: DavidIMcIntosh

Re:When to regulate

On: Net Neutrality Bill Introduced In Canadian Parliament

A dissatisfied customer remains perfectly healthy and is able to switch to a competitor very quickly. Wrong. No matter which ISP I switch to, my data stream is still back-hauled across the telco's network, where the telco does it's "data shaping", even on traffic which it does not own and has no right touching. In other words, I CANNOT SWITCH AWAY FROM MY TELCO's traffic shaping. The have monopolistic control. I our society, certain _essentials_ which cannot be reasonably provided by a competitive infrastructure are provided by a state owned monopoly. Roads cannot be owned and provided by a competitive system - the state owns the roads to my house. (Delivery systems that use the roads are privately owned and competitive.) Delivery of hydro electricity cannot be provided by a competitive infrastructure - the state owns the power lines coming to my house. (Provision of the electricity itself can come from a competitive environment). Delivery of water cannot be provided by a competitive marketplace - the state owns the pipes to my house. Removal of sewage cannot be provided by a competitive infrastructure - the state owns the sewers. Delivery of telecommunications ("the final mile") cannot be reasonably provided by a competitive infrastructure. Problem is, telecommunications, in its infancy, was not considered essential, so society was happy with the final mile not being publicly owned. But it is now an essential, and the final mile should be publicly owned and maintained. Then I can switch to which ever ISP will provide me with the service I want. I have no issue with the cable companies owning their co-ax. I don't consider cable TV an essential - it is reasonable to choose not to have it. But phone is essential, and SOME sort of telecommunications pipe is essential, to the final mile of twisted copper pair should be publicly owned and controlled.