Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ucbvax!BBN.COM!tmallory
From: tmallory@BBN.COM
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re: Internet/NSFNet proposal to be run by IBM -- call to action!
Message-ID: <9010301830.AA08855@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 30 Oct 90 16:17:52 GMT
References: <60411@bbn.BBN.COM>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 15


The IBM/NSFnet discussion has, for some reason or another, brought to mind the
ATT divestiture boondoggle.  I used to be able to get basic phone service for
$4.50/month that allowed people to call me, and to make a few local calls in
the bargain, and they threw in the phone rental too!  The most similar service
now is $14.46, and I have to buy and service my own phone.  The inexpensive
rate was apparently made possible by charging extra for long-distance service
in order to subsidize universal access, but it seems to me that a lot of
individuals benefitted, where now you have to be a business in order to save
money.

There's got to be a connection: at the very least it's not clear that allowing
a single company to run the show will necessarily be bad.

Tracy