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0 pointspreinheimer11y ago0 comments

Part of the issue is the monopoly most broadband providers have in the US and Canada.

If you had two truly distinct cable options, say Comcast and TascCom. Your friends with Comcast say Netflix sux, low quality, lots of problems. Your friends with TascCom say netflix is awesome, great HD content, too bad there's only like 8 3D movies! You'll sign up for TascCom. Comcast's board will get angry they're losing customers, and fix their interconnects. But it's all a dream, there is no TascCom, there's only Comcast.

0 comments

wdewind11y ago

Yeah, this does seem to be a core issue. How can we make it easier for people to start last-mile ISPs? It seems like a pretty capital intensive business to get involved in :)

jeffasinger11y ago

The core issue isn't at the last mile, but in connecting a last mile network to the internet?

Maybe we make Cable companies share their last mile networks like we did with DSL?

AnthonyMouse11y ago

> The core issue isn't at the last mile, but in connecting a last mile network to the internet?

Not really. The cost of the interconnect between e.g. Comcast and Level 3 is immaterial in the cost of operating a network. The only reason there is so much contention there is that it's a choke point where Comcast can try to put up a toll booth.

rayiner11y ago

> Maybe we make Cable companies share their last mile networks like we did with DSL?

Which killed investment in DSL. Who wants to spend billions on infrastructure they are forced to lease out at wholesale rates to competitors?

4 more replies

wdewind11y ago

Right, but having more last mile networks would create pressure to resolve the connecting last mile ISP to infrastructure ISP issue.

jessaustin11y ago

Once the FCC finally takes the brakes off unlicensed wireless, rural and lower-density urban customers will see a competitive market of WISPs. They've been dragging it out for years, though, so who knows when that will happen?

wmf11y ago

Are existing WISPs spectrum-constrained today?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointspreinheimer11y ago0 comments

Part of the issue is the monopoly most broadband providers have in the US and Canada.

0 comments

wdewind11y ago

Yeah, this does seem to be a core issue. How can we make it easier for people to start last-mile ISPs? It seems like a pretty capital intensive business to get involved in :)

jeffasinger11y ago

The core issue isn't at the last mile, but in connecting a last mile network to the internet?

Maybe we make Cable companies share their last mile networks like we did with DSL?

AnthonyMouse11y ago

> The core issue isn't at the last mile, but in connecting a last mile network to the internet?

rayiner11y ago

> Maybe we make Cable companies share their last mile networks like we did with DSL?

Which killed investment in DSL. Who wants to spend billions on infrastructure they are forced to lease out at wholesale rates to competitors?

4 more replies

wdewind11y ago

Right, but having more last mile networks would create pressure to resolve the connecting last mile ISP to infrastructure ISP issue.

jessaustin11y ago

wmf11y ago

Are existing WISPs spectrum-constrained today?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse