CAIP responds to CCTA letter

I read with interest the letter to the editor from the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) published in the December 5, 2002 issue of Canadian Communications Reports, entitled "ISP ‘inaction’ to blame for lack of third-party Internet access." The letter suggests that ISPs and CAIP should "stop crying wolf" about the inability of independent ISPs to obtain reasonable access to the cable network to offer a competitive cable high-speed service, and seeks to blame ISPs for the fact that, seven years after the CRTC ordered the cablecos to offer access, there are still no independent ISPs interconnected to the networks of the big four cablecos. While I have a great deal of respect for the CCTA and for Michèle Beck, the author of the letter, I’m afraid I find the substance of the letter somewhat disingenuous and the arguments a tad specious and misinformed. For example, the letter states that no ISP has "stepped forward to sign up for the service": this ignores the ISPs who have sought to negotiate access with the big cablecos but have been rejected (in the case of a "lite" service) or have found their terms unconscionable, as well as the number of ISPs that have signed interconnection agreements with Persona Communications (which only goes to show what can happen when both sides are willing).The CCTA letter also reproduces my quote from the time the TPIA tariffs were issued in August, 2000, in which I indicated that the rates seemed reasonable "s long as cable’s retail rates remain at current levels." The letter then suggests that the cablecos’ retail rates have actually risen since that time. It conveniently ignores, however, all of the "promotional" offers introduced in the last year or so which in fact lower the cablecos’ entry price quite substantially. Finally, the letter suggests that, when CAIP member Cybersurf recently sought to negotiate access, "the cable industry responded quickly and efficiently." Suffice to say the Cybersurf affidavits filed as part of IMCAIP’s recent Part VII application present a very different story (CCR Update, Nov. 28/02). Rather than perpetuate what could become an unending war of words on this subject, I would prefer instead to adopt the higher ground, much as Marc Antony did in his speech to the masses after the death of Caesar in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Thus, with apologies to the Bard (and to my high school English teacher), I conclude with the following address: Friends, Canadians, CRTC Commissioners, lend me your ears!The cablecos seek to bury ISPs, not to welcome them.The evil that monopolies do will live after them,But the good of would-be competitors is oft interred with their bones.Don’t let it be with ISPs. The incumbent cablecosHave told you ISPs have been disinterested in access.But if it were so, it would be a grievous fault,And grievously would they answer for it.Here under leave of Rogers and the rest(For Rogers is "open for business;"So are all cablecos, apparently "open for business"),Comes CAIP to speak in the ISPs’ defence.They wish to negotiate reasonable access terms but can’t;Yet the cablecos say they’re "open for business,"And who are we to doubt their sincerity?ISPs have studied the cable contracts in detail,And found them unwieldy and unworkable.Does this in ISPs show disinterest?When cable "lite" was launched, ISPs knocked on closed cable doors;Disinterest should be made of sterner stuff.Yet the cablecos say they’re "open for business,"And who could doubt their sincerity?We all have seen since August 2000Cable’s low-priced "promos," give-aways and illegal ads,Which ISPs can in no way match. Is this disinterest?Yet the cablecos say they’re "open for business;"And sure they are all sincere.Far from me to disprove what the cablecos claim,But here I am to speak what ISPs do know.Many have signed deals with Persona, a willing partner.What cause exists then to blame ISPs?Oh Commission, thou art faced with monopolistic beasts,Pray do not lose your reason! CCR welcomes columns or other articles to encourage debate about key industry issues. Please email them to nreveler@decima.ca.

CAIP responds to CCTA letter

News | 12/13/2002 5:00 am EST

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