[Chapter-delegates] Announcing: The Informal U.S. Chapters Policy discussion email list

[Eduardo Diaz]

Include me in the list.

Eduardo Diaz
ISOC Puerto Rico

On Tue, Apr 12, 2016 at 2:50 AM Dave Burstein <daveb at dslprime.com> wrote:

> Folks
>
> As discussed at the North American chapter call, we're starting a new,
> informal group to discuss what the chapters can do in U.S. policy. It will
> have no official role and cannot bind the chapters. Each chapter should
> decide for itself what actions to take.
>
> It's open to anyone but let's keep the scope narrow: policy positions
> about the U.S. (and Canada if the Canadians want to join in.)
>
> I volunteered to get things started and I'll maintain the list, probably
> as a Google group. (Better ideas welcome.)
>
> I suggest we start with something central to bringing the Internet to
> everyone in the U.S.: the new program to offer a $9.25 subsidy to the poor.
> I've reported broadband since 1999 and wrote a book on DSL
>
> I think this is a sensible proposal because ot more than covers the cost
> to add another customer to most networks with facilities in place,
> including all the large carriers that have ~94% of U.S. broadband.
> Broadband networks are a classic example of high fixed cost and low
> marginal cost. Once the network is built, it costs $4-8 to add another
> customer. Comcast freely offers a $10/month service for the poor and is
> reporting record profits. I take that as evidence other carriers can do
> similar.
>
> I'm going to propose to the New York Chapter a resolution addressing two
> current issues. The House Commerce Committee is proposing a cap that
> probably means a third of those eligible could not be funded. Some
> companies are resisting joining. Verizon doesn't want to connect anyone for
> less than ~$70/month, twice the regular price in much of Europe. I think
> the FCC should not approve items like the merger of Charter and Time Warner
> unless they agree to support the program. That would offer 10/1 internet to
> a quarter of the nation's poor. (Sure, I'd like better but that is an
> important improvement.) I'll see what the other NY members think.
>
> Other ideas welcome. For now, just send me an email and you're on the
> list.
>
> Thanks
> Dave Burstein
> New York Chapter
>
>
>
> --
> Editor, Fast Net News, Net Policy News and DSL Prime
> Author with Jennie Bourne  DSL (Wiley) and Web Video: Making It Great,
> Getting It Noticed (Peachpit)
> _______________________________________________
> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/chapter-delegates/attachments/20160412/bc6deecd/attachment.htm>