Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Tom Caswell <derpimpkar AT yahoo.com>]

I need some help with this one as I'm currently disillusioned with any "side" in a political argument.  On one hand I don't want to stifle competition.  On the other hand I'm not against capping usage or other similar business practices.  Specifically, how does the "ensure municipalities follow the same requirements as private vendors" wording really mean "unfairly keep municipalities from building their own network"?

 

Tom

From: Mark Turner <jmarkturner AT gmail.com>
To: Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/ <internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:29 PM
Subject: [internetworkers] OT: URGENT: H.129 to be heard in Thursday's Finance Committee!

Hello INWers,

Just yesterday, AT&T announced it would immediately cap it's U-Verse users at 250 GB per month. Anyone going over that cap (NetFlix users, for instance), will be socked with overage fees.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Exclusive-ATT-To-Impose-150GB-DSL-Cap-Overages-113149

This is what you can expect if H.129 passes and broadband competition is eliminated in North Carolina. You can COUNT on it!

As I stated in my Friday note, a lot of outrageous behavior took place Friday between the telco lobbyists and Rep. Avila. Basically, the "negotiation" that was supposed to take place was entirely one-sided in the favor of the telcos. In essence, there was no negotiation. Rep. Julia "My Word Is My Bond" Howard's word has proven to be worthless.

The bill will be heard at Thursday's Finance Committee meeting. I'm told NO PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD, so we'll just have to make our opinions heard otherwise. CALL YOUR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOW! And if you attend Thursday's meeting, please wear RED to show your opposition to this bill.

Also, Rep. Avila's just sent a skewed report to other representatives with logic holes big enough to drive a truck through (though I remind you that the Internet is not a big truck). Normally I would ignore such tripe as this, but as many legislators may read it, PLEASE COMMENT ON IT! Go ahead: rip it apart as the sham that it is:

http://www.innovationpolicy.org/fat-pipe-dreams-in-north-carolina

If you can make it to Thursday morning's meeting, please do. In the meantime, call the Finance members NOW and tell others to as well.

Finance Committee:
http://is.gd/ncgafinance

Broadband Petition:
http://is.gd/ncbetterbroadband

Thanks and hope to see you Thursday!

Mark Turner

P.S. Have you made your phone calls yet?
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