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

[Karl F. Larsen]

Mark Haney wrote:
> 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.
>   
    The problem was with the telephone provider and DSL Internet 
provider Qwest. This has been resolved. I'm now happy with 1.5 MBytes 
upload over the telephone line.


Karl



> 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.
>
>
>   


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
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