[Chapter-delegates] Common sense about conflicts, bias, and chapters

[Dave Burstein]

All

(Side note. I've confirmed that there is enough spare capacity on wireless
networks to reach 80%+ of
schoolkids currently without a connection in 2-3 months in the US and most
of Europe. Making things like that happen is what ISOC should be for.)

There are now 60 often contentious posts about conflict of interest, many
focused on a rule that some chapter officers can't be on the board.

In New York, it would be no big deal if a chapter officer had to step down
if elected to the board of trustees. Active membership in most ISOC
chapters is so small that even non-officers will get a full say. I'm sure
that's true in most other chapters. *So let's not belabor this particular.*

Board members and staff should understand the strength of the comments as a
sign the members and chapters want important, inclusive, multistakeholder
change. Our membership and their involvement are stagnant, despite our
spending over $million  on staff to support growth. Why we are failing is
important for all of us, the board in particular, to understand.
-----------------------------

But ISOC clearly does have important conflicts we need to be aware of.

Most of us believe the Internet is for everyone. Empirically, the most
effective way to connect more people is to bring the cost down. 400 million
Indians now have 4G connections because Jio has driven down the price to
US$3-10. Comcast's $10 for poor families with kids has been the
most effective program to connect people.

Almost all large telcos do not offer or seek to limit requirements to offer
inexpensive service to those who can't afford it. See the AT&T and Verizon
opposition to a robust Lifeline program.

No effort other than bringing down prices has been proven to get many more
people connected.  (I can back that up with data.) We need to do more. I
volunteer for community networks but recognize they will be 1-2% at best
for the foreseeable future. What are we doing for the other 97%?

In addition, we all realize that ~5 giant companies dominate the Internet
and that's a problem. We will never get the world to trust the Internet if
US companies have so much power.

Several of the board and the PIR board work for the giants or their
suppliers. More when I'm not on deadline.

Dave


-- 
Editor, AnalysisBranch.com, Wirelessone.news, fastnet.news
@analysisbranch telecom news worth a tweet
Available for consulting.
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