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

[Paul Brigner]

I don't think many would suggest ISOC-NA is not serving as "a focal point for cooperative efforts to promote the Internet as a positive tool to benefit all people throughout the world."  Of course, there is always more to do and more issues to cover.

Best regards,
Paul Brigner

Regional Bureau Director, North America
Internet Society

"The Internet is for Everyone"



On Dec 20, 2012, at 4:27 PM, Thomas Lowenhaupt <toml at communisphere.com> wrote:

> Dave,
> 
> "The Internet is for everyone" is the Internet Society's vision. And bullet 7 of its Mission explains that to achieve this vision the Society,
> Serves as a focal point for cooperative efforts to promote the Internet as a positive tool to benefit all people throughout the world.
> So what's the plan to achieve this here in the U.S.?
> 
> Best,
> 
> Tom Lowenhaupt
> 
> 
> On 12/20/2012 2:51 PM, Dave Burstein wrote:
>> 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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