roundtable: Re: Internet Telecom - Reg Listserv?

roundtable: Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?

Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?

Robert Cannon (cannon@dc.net)
Thu, 11 Sep 1997 13:45:55 -0700 

Message-Id: <34185883.5335@dc.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 13:45:55 -0700
From: Robert Cannon <cannon@dc.net>
To: roundtable@cni.org
Subject: Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?


On 09/11/97, Marty Tennant <marty@sccoast.net> wrote: 
> 
> Such a list already exists.  It is called telecomreg.
> 
> In my opinion, it could use some new blood, as it appears to
> have slowed down a bit.  I believe this is due to the shear
> volume of regulatory actions taking place due to the Act.
> 
> It has been a place where the exact issues you have raised
> have been discussed in great detail.
> 
> Care to try and revive it??

Telecomreg is an excellent listserv.  I have been a member of that
listserv for a long time and have learn a substantial amount.  But I
have reservations about its usefulness as an Internet Telecom / Reg
Listserv.

First, Telecomreg discusses all telecommunications issues, usually on a
policy level.  For those interested in Internet regulatory issues, this
creates a frequency to noise ratio problem.  As you noted, telecomreg is
currently discussing the merits of HDTV.  In fact it seems like
discussion of internet related topics are in the minority on telecomreg. 
Thus ISP staff, trade association members, and others interested in
Internet issues would receive a lot of irrelevant traffic. 

Second, Telecomreg is largely a policy discussion group.  The interest
in the Internet reg list is more nuts and bolts.  Specific information
on the use of DSL or LADS.  Specific information on how to get tariff
information out of PUCs.  Notices of pending rulemakings.  and the like. 
Some policy but a lot of front line information as well. 

Third, I am concerned that the members of Telecomreg would not be so
thrilled with an influx of Internet people.  If this idea flies, I could
see the listserv promoted at Internet conferences during the next year. 
This could mean an influx of hundreds of new members to telecomreg who
wish to speak solely about internet issues.  This again creates a
frequency to noise problem.  Wouldnt the current members of telecomreg
who are interested in say, HDTV, be upset that there discussions just
got drowned out by a flood of e-mail on a different subject?

In light of the above, if the members of telecomreg still thinks their
list is a quality place for the discussion in mind, then lets keep
talking.  I just want to make sure that we do not transform it into
something that is useless to all subscribers.

-Bob Cannon
Internet Telecommunications Project
http://www.cais.net/cannon/
<cannon@dc.net>

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