IP: Re: Universal Service for the Net: Why it's a bad idea

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

From: nelson () crynwr com
Posted-Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 17:28:06 -0500


> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 07:53:05 -0800 (PST)
> From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>


> * This implementation of universal service is based on a knee-jerk
>   fear of Internet "haves and have-nots." That's unrealistic. New
>   technologies takes time to filter through a society. The joint board's
>   position ignores history; flush toilets and cars took decades to spread.


Even worse than that: there were more telephones per capita in Iowa at
the turn of the century[1] than anywhere on the east coast.  That
remained true for about twenty years[2].  Rural[3] Colton-Pierrepont
Central Schools[4] has had Internet access for over two years now.


It's not clear that any subsidy is necessary.




[1] It's probably about time to start calling 1900 "the previous turn of
    the century."
[2] _America Calling_, Claude S. Fischer
[3] With only 200-some students, almost no agriculture, and a moribund
    forest-products industry, their only resource is that dammed
    north-flowing Racquette River.
[4] http://www.cpcs.k12.ny.us


-russ <nelson () crynwr com>    http://www.crynwr.com/~nelson
Crynwr Software sells network driver support    | PGP ok
521 Pleasant Valley Rd. | +1 315 268 1925 voice | The more corrupt the state,
Potsdam, NY 13676-3213  | +1 315 268 9201 FAX   | the more numerous the laws.