roundtable: Re: Internet Telecom - Reg Listserv?

roundtable: Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?

Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?

marty tennant (marty@sccoast.net)
Thu, 11 Sep 1997 21:30:07 -0700 

Message-Id: <3418C54F.6716@sccoast.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 21:30:07 -0700
From: marty tennant <marty@sccoast.net>
To: roundtable@cni.org
Subject: Re: Internet Telecom / Reg Listserv?


Robert Cannon <cannon@dc.net> wrote:
> 
> 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.

Robert, I thought I'd seen some of your posts there.

 
> 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.

These are excellent points.  However, the policy level discussions
on Telecomreg are very germane to the the issues you are interested
in, except for those noted below.

 
> 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.

If nuts and bolts are your interest, I'd agree that Telecomreg is not
the place. I would say that you should get on the DSL listserv (I am) if 
you are interested in XDSL issues.  I get the drift that you want to 
have a place to bring small ISPs into the regulatory fog world.  This 
is admirable and probably not appropriate for telecomreg, where this 
level of knowledge is assumed.


> 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?

Good points.  I think there are other Internet Service Provider lists
out there however.  I used to be a member of one, but all they seemed
to talk about was this router vs. that, how to get the local telco to
install ISDN properly, and how to do DNS binds.

 
> 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.

I am personally interested in ALL aspects of telecom/internet/FCC
rulemaking/world telecom issues.  I feel that they are all interrelated.

Of all lists I'm a member of, telecomreg seems to be the place where
the most convergence takes place.  If you do start a new list, which
I am not opposed to, I would be one of your first members.  Lightspeed
to you.

-- 
marty tennant,	president, low tech designs, inc.(tm), "Bringing
Technology Down to Earth"(sm),

1204 Saville St., Georgetown, SC 29440  (803) 527-4485 voice,
(803) 527-7783 fax
<marty@sccoast.net>

[CNI Home Page]