How much competition counts as “enough” for data access services? I am using the term “data access service”, because I don’t think that we need to limit ourselves to internet access services.
The internet is the interconnection of all these disparate access and backbone networks. Some parts are open; some parts are closed; some parts are public; some parts are private; some parts are managed; some parts are more of a free-for-all. The internet even interconnects to non-IP networks, such as for the purpose of VoIP calls or connecting to legacy financial data networks.
Remember early internet access services from AOL and other commercial services? They provided a special user interface to simplify service for the uninitiated. Those services were tightly managed and controlled, but they were internet access all the same, weren’t they?
So how much competition is enough?
I think this could be a relevant question in discussions on net neutrality.
I keep hearing some folks whining about monopolies in internet access, even as people talk about their cable company and phone company offerings. Monopoly, duopoly. Let’s not get too fussed about accuracy when whipping up the masses.
Let’s not forget about the wireless industry. All of the mobile carriers are offering choice in data access services. Not a real substitute? Recall that the OECD considers mobile wireless in its broadband connectivity figures – that is why Korea has 20% of their households enjoying with no computer!
And there are more mobile wireless choices coming to Canadians later this year or early in 2010.
Most of us can select satellite service and many areas have fixed wireless alternatives as well. This is all on the side of facilities-based competition in retail internet services. We haven’t started to look at resellers yet.
There aren’t a lot of barriers to entry. So, how many competitors does it take to satisfy regulators that consumers have choice? If consumers are deemed to have adequate choice, then why is the CRTC even looking at the network management practices of a competitive industry?
We are looking at Building Broadband and Net Neutrality in two of the sessions among other topical issues being explored at The 2009 Canadian Telecom Summit in June.
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