No no, I am saying that the power rates represent a cost of doing business plus their regulated rate of return. They are asking that the expense of building a broadband network to be allowed to be added to their rate base. Thus keeping rates up and earning a rate or return on the broadband network. I don't care if they want to use below the line money to build and operate a network. But in the world of utility regulation, above the line expense is sacred. This would mean the little old lady that does not even have a computer would be paying for the broadband network as part of rates. That is not right. Power should be as low as possible and power rates should never support non regulated activities. This is called cross subsidization. I know a telco manager that was thrown against the wall and handcuffed in front of his board of directors by the state AG financial crimes unit because a disgruntled employee told them that he had directed above the line revenue to be used to pay for unregulated broadband equipment. This is a very touchy subject. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David E. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 3:03 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Just what we need.
> Chuck McCown wrote: >> The power company wants to take rate payer money and build a broadband >> network that will contact each meter for the purpose of managing energy. >> It >> will also supply broadband to the homeowner if they want. This should >> not >> be allowed. > > I'll bite. Why not? > > (The following may not represent the views of my boss, my company, WISPA > for whom I occasionally do work, or even myself.) > > Power utilities have invested tens of millions of dollars into their > infrastructure. As a publicly-regulated utility, they're required to > continue to spend money on a regular basis to maintain and upgrade the > infrastructure. Why shouldn't they be permitted to try to recoup some of > that cost through non-traditional means? > > Are you arguing that they shouldn't be allowed to start using > automated-meter-reading technology, or that they shouldn't be allowed to > sell Internet connectivity using that same system? There's a very fine > line between the two. > > David Smith > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
