[OT] But something I think needs to be passed on.

[Mark Haney]

http://industry.bnet.com/technology/10001246/verizon-att-blocking-rural-broadband-stimulus/

I know this is off-topic, sort of, but I feel strongly that this needs
to be shared.  I work for a non-profit (and small, there are only 7 of
us) ISP in NC.  We're not /just/ an ISP, we provide broadband to the
community in areas where Verizon, ATT et al. won't go or won't get there
for many years.

One of the primary platforms Obama is pushing is increasing broadband
availability.  I think most of us have read Karl's travails with Comcast
(I think) and so I think the link above is very relevant to the American
Ubuntu audience.

It's true, ERC Broadband was originally funded with Federal money, but
we've not had a dime of Federal money in the 4 years I"ve been here, we
really do turn a small profit and we have several YEARS of operating
capital in the bank.  The big telecoms, by lobbying to block stimulus
money from being handed to small non-profits (and for-profit as well)
who serve rural areas is detrimental to all rural broadband roll-outs. I
am a Verizon customer at home, yet I've only had DSL service for 3
years.  And even then, the service is spotty.

My point here isn't to preach, just to get the word out about what is
going on behind the scenes in America concerning our difficulties with
rolling out broadband everywhere.  This is part of the problem.

I apologize for this being off-topic.  But this lobbying effort
threatens every small broadband (cable, dsl, etc) provider in the
country and I felt it necessary to make as many people as possible aware
of the issue.


-- 
Frustra laborant quotquot se calculationibus fatigant pro inventione
quadraturae circuli

Mark Haney
Sr. Systems Administrator
ERC Broadband
(828) 350-2415

Call (866) ERC-7110 for after hours support