|
|
Sure it sounds selfish and it probably is...but that's basically the argument being used by telecom executives from AT&T and Mediacom Communications Corp. are using these days. Mediacom Communications chairman and CEO Rocco Commisso is quoted extensively in an article over at Multichannel News that lays out his side of the argument again the proposed "net neutrality" laws being pursued by the U.S. legislature.
From the article:
"So far, we haven't charged," Commisso said at an American Cable Association conclave here. "But I don't think we can make a statement that forever we cannot be allowed to charge anything."
Commisso also included cable programmers in his analysis, noting that major programmers are selling prime time fare as Web downloads without including cable operators in the revenue stream.
"The programmers don't like a la carte, but they seem to like a la carte when they take 100% of the money," he said. "They are taking that brand, extend[ing] it out and making money through our pipe...[and then] going to the government and say[ing], "By the way, don't let Rocco charge anybody for this usage because I want 100% of my money.'"
This isn't the first time that telecom companies have stepped forward to make statements like this. AT&T execs have made similar points in the past. This is just the first time that they've been as latently honest about their reasoning for opposing the legislation. Basically, they want more money.
The companies argue that increased need for high speed internet access is being caused by the web sites that offer up high-bandwidth offerings. From things as simple as massive amounts of traffic (Google, Yahoo, AOL) to more complicated offerings like video on demand (iTunes, YouTube, ABC.com) the telecom companies claim that they are being forced to offer up more and more bandwidth without any compensation from the companies delivering the content.
But the last time I checked, high-speed internet service providers received payment from the SUBSCRIBERS. In other words, this whole "poor us" attitude comes off a little, well...trite. If the ISPs are experiencing slow-downs in their offerings, then it's their choice to either raise prices to their subscribers, or to build better networks. To that end, the article was just full of statements that had me rolling my eyes...
"If anything, if it should be changed, it should be changed that as people use your pipe, we should get something out of it," he said.
Umm yeah...you mean like the people that are paying you subscription fees to use your pipe? Remember? How you get money out of that?
"Our position at the NCTA -- I'm also on the board of directors of NCTA -- [is] government stay out of it. It's worked fine, you don't need to change anything," he said.
If it "worked fine" then why do YOU need to change anything? It will be very interesting to see where this goes...
Search marketing information for small business owners.
Fetching the best small business news.
A friendly place to share small business ideas and knowledge.
A different kind of small business marketing conference.
The directory of the best small business sites and tools.
Home of our network.
Copyright © 1998 - 2012 K. Clough, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy
FreeFind Site Search Engine - FreeFind adds a "search this site" feature to your website, making your site easier to use. FreeFind also gives you reports showing what your visitors are searching for, enabling you to improve your site. FreeFind's advanced site search engine and automatic site map technology can be added to your website for free.
(Unpaid placement - FreeFind is a Search Engine Guide partner.)