Another Telco Says Muni WiFi Is OK Only If It's Providing It
from the le-hypocrisy dept
Telcos' resistance to municipal WiFi broadband projects is pretty well documented, but it's been interesting to see how their position changes once they realize they can make some money from running the muni networks. Over in France, the country's incumbent operator, France Telecom, has filed a legal challenge to Paris' plan to roll out free hotspots (via MuniWireless), saying they will illegally compete with its network of 2,250 paid hotspots in the city. This argument has been made before in Europe, like in Barcelona, where the city was forced to shut down its hotspots after a similar complaint -- even though they blocked access to everything except 60 sites with city information and services. What makes France Telecom's suit even more ridiculous is that its mobile phone unit, Orange, bid on the tender to provide the service for the city. Now, after it's lost out, the company cries foul.
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Filed Under: france, muni wifi, paris, telecom, wifi
Companies: france telecom, orange
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Re: Anonymous Coward
Thanks
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My Opinion is:
As far as "illegal" competion: The government as ultimate authority. I think they're government should reply with a gigantic, "F.U.",! After all, I think that there should be wireless internet EVERYWHERE and then if you want the always faster and more reliable hard line, THEN you pay ISPs. A hard line will ALWAYS be better than wireless. That's just how it is. It may even be a insignificant difference to most, but it's still there. Ever play a FPS with a wireless keyboard and/or mouse? It tends to suck, because you have that momentary/split second delay. It's just enough to do one over on ya.
Of course it matters more than just to gamers, but I think it's pretty safe to say that other than tech type people who just want that high speed, the people who probably use broadband the most are gamers. At least until they work out the whole downloading movies B.S. *cough* Never gonna happen! * cough*
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Seems like a nice way to put a wall in the way of technolical advancement, espicially in a world where our technology needs and becomeing cheaper whilst usage increaces.
Projects like this are the ideal way to take everyone to the hyperconnected age, not just those with the spare cash to spend on the rediculas mobile data charges the networks expect you to pay.
This model is also unhelth for competition. Allowing the free service to compete would force networks to reduce costs and improve services to form an attractive alternative worth paying for which in turn would further advance the mobile internet technologies required for this sort of thing.
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Muni WiFi and the Free Market
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Muni WiFi and the Free Market
When discussing the economics of local governments providing a service private firms through out the "red herring" that this is uncompetitive, stifles free markets, and is a misuse of tax dollars. This is hogwash.
1. It is not anticompetitive, it is competition. If you can't compete too bad.
2. It does not stifle the free market. The local municipality will be buying all their equipment from private enterprises. The only "place" private industry "losses" is in providing the service.
3. It is not a misuse of tax dollars. First, if the residents of a local community want a subsided WiFi system it is their right. Private industry does not have a right to limit how you wish to spend your money. Second, private industry plays the subsidy game all the time. A large corporation, such as AT&T, can charge higher rates in one area to subsidize a service in an area where they are trying to increase market share. Once they have a monopoly, up go the rates.
In conclusion, the participation of a local government in the free market system is part of the game.
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Re: Muni WiFi and the Free Market
"The only "place" private industry "loses" is in providing the service."
Isn't that were a lot of "service" orientated business earn their profit? Or am I just imagining things?
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Re: Re: Muni WiFi and the Free Market
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