[Chapter-delegates] Why is ISOC is doing almost nothing to bring affordable Internet to America

[Dave Burstein]

On the NY ISOC list, Thomas writes

"Here's the vision thing. What would have happened if I'd have said
something like,

  * ISOC-NY advocates for universal access to a quality Net experience
    for every New Yorker. We believe every resident should have Internet
    access with enough speed that it enables them to fully participate
    in deciding upon and receiving government services."

I just spent two weeks in Dubai where ISOC had strong opinions on how poor
countries should bring down costs. I wanted to cry out "Physician heal
thyself" because the increases in U.S. costs lately have been
unconscionable. Verizon's fees start at $55 as far as I can tell (only 1
megabit!)and for most in NYC (FiOS territory) the minimum is over $78. The
standard service at Time Warner cable is $58. I just doublechecked those
prices with the companies.

    That's much higher than the $20-45 that was a common  fee in years
past. Verizon by most measures is up 50-100%, Time Warner 20%. All this at
a time the cost to deliver the service is going down. (Routers, modems,
capex of the companies, even support, as I've reported elsewhere).

   Before that, I was at ECTA Brussels where speaker after speaker pointed
out European prices are often half what the Americans charge for similar.
That's slightly exaggerated but the gap is clear.

   It's time to start working - hard - to make sure the Internet is
affordable to Americans. Otherwise, our advice to the Africans is hollow.

   How do we turn around ISOC to start doing something about prices going
up in America.

db

p.s. I cc'd this directly to Paul, North American ISOC rep. As a former
Verizon employee, he knows they are looking to maximize profits so of
course take advantage of weak competition. He and Sally have done a great
job bringing the chapters and members into the ISOC discussion. They also
have been doing a great job getting the telcos involved in ISOC. It's
particularly difficult for ISOS to get involved in bringing affordability
to the U.S., but that's what we need to do.
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