Re: Is Low-Cost Wi-Fi Un-American?

Carriers who paid billions to the U.S. (and other) government(s) (therefore,
us, the citizens) for use of licensed spectrum think that they should get
what they paid for: use of the spectrum and right to charge for services and
make a profit.  The government did not ask the winning bidders to set up
charities or throw their (shareholders) money down the sewer (although many
managed to do that extremely well all on their own).   I can understand why
some in the industry think it is unfair to sell them spectrum in an open
bidding process and then afterwards change the rules to give away free
spectrum that renders what they paid for at an arguably lower value.  This,
some would argue, is tantamount to and abuse of the government's right to
'eminent domain' - government taking of their property without fair and just
compensation.  As a consumer we always want as much for our money, and as
much of the other guys money as the government allows us to take or gives
us.

I think there are arguments that make sense on both sides of the 'free and
open wireless's debate: if more spectrum and services are to be made free
(or nearly so), then maybe the government should have made it clear they
were going to change the rules and should now compensate license holders. in
some cases.

Or I guess it's OK if the government take your house and let the neighbors
move in if they do it in the name of 'free and equal access'.

On the other hand, the long term trend in wireless is for more universal
standards, more morphing forms of wireless technologies such as cognitive
radio and multi-band and wide frequency ICs and radios, more 'seamless
roaming' and a general enabling of a more universal, open wireless
environment.  The trend is to pry open the hold on spectrum and make it more
available to both competitive forces and public access.  And with that there
absolutely will be ongoing friction.

Robert (Bob) Syputa, BSEE, MBA
www.WiMAXPro.com
[email protected]
206-367-6931


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Casey Halverson" <[email protected]>
To: "SeattleWireless Talk List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 3:46 PM
Subject: RE: Is Low-Cost Wi-Fi Un-American?


That's funny..."Un-American".  I wouldn't go that far.

There is no such thing as "free" internet.  Access costs money.

You can hide it in taxes, create a money pool to pay for services, or
donate it, but at the end of the day, someone has to pay the bill.

Even non-internet community networks, like SeattleWireless, cost real
money to operate.



________________________________

From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Mayor
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 6:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Is Low-Cost Wi-Fi Un-American?


Is Low-Cost Wi-Fi Un-American?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Timothy Karr, In These Times

The telecom industry has a well-funded army who stand ready to
paint community Internet as an affront to American innovation and free
enterprise.

Click here for article.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2071/
<http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2071/>

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