It's frustrating to read pieces like this from the Seattle Times, where FCC Chairman Powell describes his incredible enthusiasm for the expansion of broadband services in the United States, while at the same time making clear that his inclination is to essentially leave the Bells free to monopolize the sales and distribution of broadband services. By treating broadband as an "information service" rather than a "telecommunications service", they're able to assert control of the pipes.
Back in 1992, Mitch Kapor argued against this very approach surrouding the regulation of commercial Internet access, arguing for an "Open Road" approach that uses what telecom folks call "Common Carrier" law. In short, common carrier law asserts that the content and the access need to be unbundled, and that carriers need to offer their pipes wholseale (price regulated or not) to alternate suppliers. It was precisely that wholesale, common carrier approach used with the early IP network providers that created the explosion in affordable dial-up and corporate Internet access.
With action promised early in the new year, let's keep the pressure on the FCC and Congress to not make what could be a tragic mistake.
1:16:37 PM 
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