VORTEX Digest John Gallant Spotlights Top Network News and Issues Comments to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Nov. 11, 2004 Volume 6, Number 16 ********************************************************* * FCC decides to supercede state regulation of VoIP service providers * Vorticians chime in on John's platform-control debate * A Vortician describes how we could continue to enjoy the best telecom values * Invite a friend to join the discussion *********************************************************
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..." Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Dear Vorticians, I won't even try to begin with anything approaching the quality of the quote above - arguably, the most famous and beautiful opening line ever written. It stands in stark contrast to Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's "It was a dark and stormy night ...," which is the yardstick by which other bad first lines are measured. In fact, the English department at San Jose State annually runs a contest named for EGBL that honors the best in bad opening line craftsmanship. This year's winner, carefully penned by Dave Zobel: "She resolved to end the love affair with Ramon tonight ... summarily, like Martha Stewart ripping the sand vein out of a shrimp's tail ... though the term 'love affair' now struck her as a ridiculous euphemism ... not unlike 'sand vein,' which is after all an intestine, not a vein ... and that tarry substance inside certainly isn't sand ... and that brought her back to Ramon." Nice, huh? Don't worry, things get much better from here because shortly I'm going to turn the dais over to readers, sharing some of the backlog of messages I've received recently. I would be remiss not to note the most important news development of the week - at least in our technology world - and that's the Federal Communications Commission's decision to supercede state regulation of VoIP service providers. The decision doesn't completely clear away questions surrounding VoIP, such as whether VoIP providers will have to pay into the Universal Service fund, and it is almost certain to be challenged in court. But I applaud the agency and Chairman Michael Powell for clearly and firmly stating that VoIP needs to treated differently than old-style phone service. Readers of this column know that I've questioned the role of - even the necessity for - the FCC in the digital age. In this case, Powell and company did the right thing. Let's hope this decision stands. I'd love your thoughts on the decision. Let me know if you think it was the right move by reaching me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Now, on to the reader views. Vorticians Ed Quiroz, of the California Public Utilities Commission, and Steve Schick of Redback Networks, got in touch regarding my column last week on the realities and dangers of platforms. Vortician Quiroz wrote: "Hi John, It's hard to believe that VORTEX 2004 was just about one month ago. Excellent summation of the 'platform' discussion. I agree that platform means account control, certainly a big benefit worth pursuing for the platform supplier. "From the customer and demand side viewpoint, the word platform has a dual benefit/caution relationship. The benefits occur if each 'gorilla' can follow through on its claims that each product introduced adds another 'plank' to its platform. The assumption is that this adds incremental value to all the other planks. Past reality has shown that this is rarely the case. "More to the point, through the processes associated with business and departmental consolidations, mergers and acquisitions, many organizations are forced to accept and adapt to multiple platforms. That is hardly a painless undertaking. My question to the panel of gorilla experts addressed this issue: namely, the need to simplify interconnection between platforms. "I realize this is the area typically occupied by the (systems integrators) of the world. Their role as providers of the 'connective tissue' is necessary because the gorillas too often act like chimps in this customer demand area. From a customer perspective, simplification at this layer allows data and process flows to be better architected, enabled and extended while still allowing for multiple platform allegiances. "To use a different metaphor, the island of Manhattan and the cities of San Francisco or Boston gain extraordinary value and commerce having numerous bridges and tunnels (i.e. interconnection infrastructures) that simplify linkage between them and their surrounding geographies. Can't we just all get along...or, am I being too simplistic here?" Vortician Schick, in one of the more literate missives I've ever received, said: "John, once again, I appreciate the clear thinking and sparkling writing on the platform issue. You are certainly right. Platform involves a Faustian bargain. "Windows is probably the best example. Because of that platform and the dictates that go with it, we have the capability of 'plug and play,' an abundance of software, amazing portability and compatibility (but we all have war stories). On the other hand, that platform has probably mae the PC a much more expensive device and stifled a lot of creativity in terms of computing hardware and software. "It was the Montano character in Shakespeare's Othello (II, iii), who advised, 'To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.' Perhaps more damning is the quotation from a character in the midst of battle who advises that gathering up of soldiers and to "lay new platforms to endamage them." (King Henry VI, Part I, II, i). There, now we've heard directly from Bill (the other one) on the subject." Thanks Ed, Steve. Well done. Finally, this note from Vortician Douglas Bulleit, of BellSouth, who wrote in response to a report I referenced on the slow adoption of broadband in the U.S. The report was issued by two well-know consumer rights organizations. "John, I know that this will come off as a parochial and closed-minded opening line, but I really didn't need to go to the Consumer Federation's link to have a visceral reaction to it. Maybe it's just the instant hyper-stressed political milieu that has my free market knees jerking (as I unrepentantly pray that the Massachusetts sweep ends with the Sox). But the issue of socially engineered broadband proliferation strikes me as hauntingly familiar and ultimately ill conceived. "Sure, from time-to-time, our government's relatively limited role in modulating market behavior finds us temporarily a step behind other nations. But, I think that most all your readers will agree that it doesn't happen often. Remember, for instance, the French Minitel program that many heralded as a videotext coup that would forever tilt the digital balance in a Franco direction? "Without going on and on, the American innovation/proliferation record speaks for itself. At the rapidly approaching end of the broadband day, an assortment of cable HSD, telecom DSL, FTTx, BPL, WiMAx, etc, etc, alternatives will fight it out naturally; and, the victors in this natural Darwinian process will, once again, be positioned as a worldwide leaders, and Americans will continue to enjoy the best telecom values on the planet." Thanks Doug, and you got your wish. The Massachusetts winning streak ended with the Sox World Series victory. The Patriots and John Kerry both lost the following week. If you want to see your great ideas in ink (electronic, anyway), drop me a line at [EMAIL PROTECTED] For now, I bid you adieu. ********************************************************* Upcoming Events ********************************************************* [EMAIL PROTECTED] Feb. 13-15, 2005, Scottsdale, Ariz. Hold what the future holds. Right there, in your hands, 70 of the world's most promising new technologies. Investment or deployment - you get the first shot. This is why executives, analysts, VCs and journalists come back time and again. To see. To touch. To harvest. Register now and save $500! with our preferred rate. http://www.demo.com/D5VD ********************************************************* Tell a Friend ********************************************************* Is there a friend or colleague you'd like to have join the discussions held here at VORTEX Digest? Have them subscribe to receive the weekly Digest at: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx ********************************************************* ABOUT VORTEX DIGEST ********************************************************* VORTEX Digest is written weekly by Executive Producer John Gallant and offers an ongoing dialogue on matters raised at The VORTEX Conference, and within the VORTEX Community. VORTEX is an exclusive, invitation-only event for senior executives that brings together all the key elements: leadership, thought, funding, and regulatory expertise, to shape the future of the network business and the technologies that drive it. VORTEX shakes off the hype and helps you understand where you can win new customers, and find new revenue in a time of dramatic and seemingly unpredictable change. ********************************************************* SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ********************************************************* To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx To access the VORTEX Digest archives: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/vortex/index.html To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx To change your e-mail address, go to: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. Have editorial comments? Contact John Gallant at mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For advertising information: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright: Network World, Inc. 2004 ------------------------ This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
