[LINK] Is the NBN Ready for Extreme Weather?

[tomk]

On 7/12/2012 1:27 p.m., Kim Holburn wrote:
> Yeah, I meant in a reasonable world where I could make a call and it would
> go through whatever network was available the telcos would sort it out.
> Preferably without ridiculous roaming charges and for extras, with charges
> commensurate with a 2Kb data connection and (why not go for it all) a pony.
>
> Falkvinge recently had a series of articles on this, the URLs speak for
> themselves:
>
> http://falkvinge.net/2012/11/27/free-market-failure-telco-profit-margin-on-data-roaming-exceeds-one-million-per-cent/
>
> http://falkvinge.net/2012/11/28/free-market-failure-telcos-charge-more-for-sending-a-text-next-door-than-cost-of-sending-data-from-mars/
>
> http://falkvinge.net/2012/11/26/oecd-telcos-overcharging-by-five-orders-of-magnitude/
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 2:46 PM, Michael Skeggs mike at bystander.net <
> mskeggs at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Are there mobile networks internationally that allow 'peering' where
>> non-customers use other operators networks with no settlement?
>> If so, has it ever happened between networks of differing coverage sizes?
>> With different commercial plans?
>> I don't see how it would work in Oz. If I were in a marginal coverage zone
>> I would buy a Crazy Johns prepaid and use NextG.
>> Regards,
>> Michael Skeggs

Well Kim, the US FCC agree with you....

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6282UZ20100309?type=technologyNews?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology


(Reuters) - U.S. regulators may dedicate spectrum to free wireless
Internet service for some Americans to increase affordable broadband
service nationwide, the Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday.

The FCC provided few details about how it would carry out such a plan and
who would qualify, but will make a recommendation under the National
Broadband Plan set for release next week. The agency will determine
details later.

One way of making broadband more affordable is to "consider use of
spectrum for a free or a very low cost wireless broadband service," the
FCC said in a statement.




















>>
>>
>>> I believe Kim was dreaming (as in good fairy granting a wish) about a
>>> world where any BTS would authenticate his phone (on a fallback basis -
>>> i.e.: no other BTS data channel capacity available in the region) and
>>> allow him to use voice/data services back to his own carrier of choice
>>> with of course the un-stated rider that it not be based on unfair
>>> commercial practice of "Roaming".
>>>
>>> Pretty sure that 's what he meant. But perhaps he was merely referring
>>> to the fact that Telstra use unfair market advantage to control their
>>> subscriber numbers and explicitly refuse to enter into commercially
>>> viable bilateral peering arrangements with some carriers. (errr,
>> Roaming).
>>> The fact that I believe the ACMA has been remiss in analysing this in
>>> more detail needs to be balanced by my opinion that were I in Telstra's
>>> shoes, unfortunately with the paucity of Spectrum and the restrictions
>>> of 15  Mhz per location... I would probably do exactly the same thing or
>>> have a network that couldn't plan for peak loads.
>