Cats need to make the digital transition as well (Image: Flickr)

Post from: EveryJoe

FCC Receives 300,000 Calls After Switch

Reality?

AT&T Boosts Bandwidth Choices and Speed with 10 Mbps Offer for U-verse Customers

“Millions of consumers now have a new option to keep them surfing in the fast lane with the nation’s leading provider of broadband services. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced plans to offer AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Max in February 2008. The new tier, available exclusively to AT&T U-verseSM customers across the country, will deliver more bandwidth and faster available speeds — up to 10 Mbps downstream and up to 1.5 Mbps upstream.

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Max will be available for $55 a month when bundled with U-verse TV. Professional installation is included for new U-verse customers, and existing U-verse Internet customers can upgrade their package at any time without additional installation costs or appointments. “

Now, please tell me you see what I see… please. Clue? Check out Gizmodo. But that’s not all.

Post from: EveryJoe

AT&T Boosts Bandwidth Choices and Speed

During the ensuing comments, Noen says;

“Your privacy is an illusion. And while Joel did good I don’t think that AT&T is too worried about him or even about BoingBoing. They have the administration and congress bending over backwards just for them. We are no threat.”

And I think – what if we became a threat? Joel became a threat during that taping and “God’s” voice rang out saying “Hold It!”

I believe that this world can still be saved and these are the kind of acts that will accomplish it. It was obvious from the voice booming out that AT&T already has their sponsored shows’ producers well aware and on alert. They know a threat exists!!! Else, why would they do something like that? [See Pearl Jam]

[Another Hat Tip to The EFF ]

Post from: EveryJoe

Suppose “WE” Became A Threat?

Judge Cancels Friday Hearing, Orders Government to Comply by December 10

“San Francisco – Late Tuesday, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) won the speedy release of telecom lobbying records from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

The agency was ordered to comply with a new December 10 deadline — in time for the documents to play a role in the congressional debate over granting amnesty for telecommunications companies taking part in illegal electronic surveillance. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston vacates a hearing on the matter previously scheduled for Friday.”

In an almost identical “parallel universe” this is how big corporate lobbying money works – from The New York Times;

F.C.C. Chief Seeks Votes to Tighten Cable Rules

“WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 — The head of the Federal Communications Commission is struggling to find enough support from a majority of the agency’s commissioners to regulate cable television companies more tightly.

The five-member commission is set to vote on Tuesday on a report, proposed by Kevin J. Martin, the agency’s chairman, that would give the commission expanded powers over the cable industry after making a formal finding that it had grown too big.

After news reports this month that Mr. Martin supported the finding — along with the commission’s two Democrats — the cable industry heavily lobbied the commission and allies in Congress to kill the proposal. Those efforts may be paying off.”

Doesn’t everybody paying attention to this know beyond any doubt that the telcos’ money can buy enough influence in all the “right” places (allies in Congress?) to insure their “victory.” And isn’t it about time also that this country, this nation of free people, exert their influence over this nature of corrupt greed? (I.E. – that ally could be your Congressman! Do something about it!)

Post from: EveryJoe

Telecom Credo – Throw Money At It!

F.C.C. Planning Rules to Open Cable Market

“The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to impose significant new regulations to open the cable television market to independent programmers and rival video services after determining that cable companies have become too dominant in the industry, senior commission officials said.

The finding, under a law that gives the commission expanded powers over the cable television industry if it becomes too big, is expected to be announced this month. It is a major departure for the agency and the industry, which was deregulated by an act of Congress in 1996.”

Oh, and Mr Cleland, take note of a previous article and decision by Mr. Martin;

F.C.C. Set to End Sole Cable Deals for Apartments

“Exclusive contracts have been one of the most significant barriers to competition,” Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the commission, said in an interview. Cable prices have risen “about 93 percent in the last 10 years,” he said. “This is a way to introduce additional competition, which will result in lower prices and greater innovation.”

Am I reading this correctly? There appears to be a problem with competition? No, No, No! Tell Kevin he’s wrong Scott!

Post from: EveryJoe

Good News!

Don’t think it could happen? The original story (and one that we all ought to pay life or death attention to);

“It was about as simple and uncomplicated as shooting demonstrators in the streets. Embarrassed by smuggled video and photographs that showed their people rising up against them, the generals who run Myanmar simply switched off the Internet.”

How about a different version, one that could strike home here;

It was about as simple and uncomplicated as shutting a group of websites down. Embarrassed by smuggled YouTube videos and Flickr photographs that showed their people complaining out loud against them, the executives who run MaBellGodTelcom simply switched off the Internet.

See if this sounds familiar…

Just In Time Filtering

“OpenNet Initiative, which tracks Internet censorship, has documented signs that in recent years several governments — including those of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — have closed off Internet access, or at least opposition Web sites, during periods preceding elections or times of intense protests.

The brief disruptions are known as “just in time” filtering, said Ronald J. Deibert of OpenNet. They are designed to quiet opponents while maintaining an appearance of technical difficulties, thus avoiding criticism from abroad.”

Oops, we’re so sorry, we didn’t mean to censor the Pearl Jam concert, it was our bad Technician.

Excuse me? You want to send what in a text message?

Ut Oh… nope, that download was excessive, sorry, your service is cancelled.

Post from: EveryJoe

Fear? Think This Is A Stretch Do You?

First is the Teamsters announcement of their support for Net Neutrality, “Hoffa Urges Senate to Act on Net Neutrality to Protect Freedom of Speech,” pointed to by Matt Stoller. “Kovie” offered a plum in his/her comment at Matt’s entry about Sprint and their new broadband internet wireless technology, “Xohm.” Kovie’s understanding of Xohm was that “because it’s proprietary, they (Sprint) could use [it] to control web usage” meaning that Sprint would be running the technology from “end to end” and of course, the assumption that there would be ultimate control.

Lest we forget, in the Teamsters’ announcement we are reminded that AT&T has reserved the “right” to cancel or suspend anyone’s internet service simply for an opposing viewpoint of AT&T to which Jim Hoffa pronounced, rightfully so, “When corporations control communications and the ability to appeal to the public for justice, workers will ultimately lose.”

All of which led me to do some digging at Google. I found this: Xohm: Sprint’s New Wimax which then led me to this: Google, Sprint team on WiMax mobile services and a puzzle began to come together. (Hey, I’m just “everyday, run-of-the-mill citizen, ya’ know?)

From PC World;

“We are pursuing a new business model that is Internet-based, not telecom-based, and therefore will establish a new service brand,” to be called Xohm, said Sprint spokesman John Polivka, in an e-mail to Computerworld.”

A “new service brand” eh?

Polivka said Sprint’s pact with Google Inc., announced in July, to collaborate on Internet services over the new WiMax network “is a significant proof point of [our] Internet strategy, and it is our intent to be not just a portal but a destination as we mobilize the Internet.”

Not just a portal but a destination eh? AND – with Google!

“In addition to the Google collaboration, Sprint and Clearwire Corp. announced an agreement July 19 to build the Wimax network in the U.S. The two companies said they plan to reach 100 million U.S. customers by the end of 2008, including businesses, consumers, government and public safety agencies.”

100 Million? That’s energetic…

From Computer World;

“As part of its strategy to increase its presence in as many Web-enabled mobile devices as possible, Google Inc. has agreed to collaborate with Sprint Nextel Corp. to offer a range of Internet services to users of the U.S. operator’s planned new WiMax network.

The two companies announced an agreement on Thursday to bring Google services, including search, e-mail, calendaring and social networking, to customers of Sprint’s wireless broadband network, slated to launch in early 2008.”

It gets better…

“It’s an absolute no-brainer” for Google to increase its presence in the wireless sector by working with as many operators as possible and helping them customize services,” said Andy Buss, principle analyst with Canalys.com Ltd. “But Google is looking to become an operator in its own right.”

An operator in its own right? Hmmmm…

Buss pointed to Google’s interest in acquiring spectrum in the U.S.

“It would be good for Google to control its own platform,” he said. “They need to make some risk-sharing investments in the underlying networks to have a say in how they’re architectured and developed.”

That’s right! There’s still an upcoming auction! This – Mr. Cleland – is beginning to feel like real competition!

Post from: EveryJoe

Net Neutrality, Google, Sprint, WiMax, Xohm

Selecting just these two posts (there are thousands);

AT&T threatens to disconnect subscribers who criticize the company

AT&T vows to use Terms of Service for good, not censorship

Folks, is anyone paying attention? I mean really? Thankfully, there are people who now scan through their cable and phone bills and make these discoveries otherwise “they’d” sneak them past us.

Telecoms are denying service, censoring and now claiming the right to cancel for what? Bad conduct by you and I, that’s what – in their discretion!

Their discretionary powers are more than very disturbing, seems to me they’re Communistic is the oldest sense of the Cold War!

How many times do we have to hear “whoops, we made a mistake.” Or “We swear we didn’t give the government that power or information.” Only to have it proven otherwise shortly thereafter…

But, the worst of all??? Which is why I ask the question “Is anyone paying attention?”

There is absolutely no way any of these companies could do this if they weren’t monopolies, if they didn’t hold all the power, if there was real competition!!!

If AT&T were afraid of The World’s Global and Most Elegant Telecom Co. Inc. (made up name) spiriting away their customers do you believe they would put this type of threat in print? If Joe Consumer had an opportunity to go down the street to any one of a dozen or more local, viable, really competitive Telecoms, do you really believe AT&T would write this for the world to see?

Shills like Scott Cleland can testify until they’re blue in the face about Google, meanwhile Verizon and AT&T are making decisions about our rights based on their discretion and we have no recourse! Why? Because there is no competition! Who do we go to? What companies are there that don’t have some type of restraint on them due to their association with one of these major telcoms?

Come on! Smell the coffee!!! Once again I agree with T Karr at Save The Internet when he says: “The biggest threat to free speech in America is public complacency. We must have this discussion about our democratic rights while we still can.” Our democratic quality of life is getting ripped apart, shredded, by greed and powermongers… DO SOMETHING!!!

[arstechnica has a cool discussion going, why not join in? Oh, hey, and while I'm at it, for you pundits that don't believe Net Neutrality and The First Amendment are associated - GAFL! - take the blinders off!]

Post from: EveryJoe

A Perfect Example – There Is No Competition!

I might like to change that personally to “I don’t want an internet dominated only by monopolistic Telcoms.”

Healthy competition Scott – healthy competition. I know the research has been done, I’ve read yours, I don’t have another. I’ll find others but reality is that the “competition” people like Scott Cleland speak of is actually managed and controlled by the larger Telcoms therefore they aren’t true, healthy competition.

More Thoughts;

The Seattle Times – “The arrival of a wonderful communication tool to rural and poor areas of the country [the USA] is vital to the democratic principles of hearing every voice and every opinion. The Times’ editorial on broadband capacity notes the United States can be compared to a Soviet-era grocery store, and Japan’s Internet capacity to a Whole Foods. Countries wired for the future are automatically also wired for democracy, whether their leaders like it or not.”

This is spin bs;

“You’re not going to make more money if you’re a broadband provider by blocking web sites or impeding disfavored services,” said Mr. Billingsley. “This would quickly send customers packing to another provider. Instead, you’re going to want to offer customers more services, more things to access and therefore, you’re going to want to cut deals that are pro-consumer and offer choices.”

This is simply not true. Since our government is in bed with the major Telcos, there is no competition to truly speak of and we’ll be forced to continue to use what the monopolies have control over. That is why we used to have controls over monopolies!

Then, in an obviously blatant attempt at character assassination of a former FCC chairman, for the purpose of proclaiming their own self-righteousness, listen to this;

“The kinds of restrictions Hundt is seeking in order to benefit a handful of well-connected political players is not only wrong, but will also pose a serious threat to our vibrant and competitive wireless market—a market that consumers have enthusiastically endorsed in the absence of government regulation.”

Which really ought to read “The kinds of access restrictions AT&T is seeking in order to benefit itself and a handful of co-operative and well-paid political players is not only wrong, but will also pose a serious threat to our vibrant and competitive wireless market—a market that the major Telco monopolies are enthusiastically drooling over in the absence of government regulation.”

This entry has become a bit longer than I wanted so I’ll cut it off because there are other topics needing to be addressed. I’ll return to this again and again though… wake up America!!!

Post from: EveryJoe

The Reality of Net Neutrality!

“Regulation, Deregulation – Mindless Rhetoric”
“Broadcasters Are Supposed To Serve The Public Interests!”
“Protecting The Public Interest”
“Citizen Action Can Still Work”

via videosift.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Protecting The Public Interest