Two Telecom Mergers, One Digital Divide

[SOURCE: Ohio Community Computing Network press release]
Community activists in Ohio are fighting there to make sure there's a public benefit to two large telecommunications mergers. The Ohio Community Computing Network (OCCN www.ohioccn.org) is leading the fight to minimize the current broadband divide and keep a new divide based on advanced networks from developing. The arena? Regulatory proceedings within the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO www.puc.state.oh.us). There is a lot of talk lately of advanced networks, their immense Internet speed and additional services but if only a portion of society can participate in yet another technological evolution, Ohio will again be left struggling.OCCN has suggested seven conditions for approval of the mergers; OCCN says the merged companies should: 1) should make stand alone DSL available to consumers without also purchasing wireline voice service, 2) not participate in efforts to restrict Ohio municipalities from investing in broad band networks, 3) universally deploy broadband capabilities within three years with guarantees that low income urban and rural communities will have access to such networks at the same time that wealthier communities have such access, 4) extend the concept of Lifeline telephone service to include a DSL option (Lifeline-eligible households should be able to maintain integrated telephone and DSL service for no more than $25 per month, and 5) establish a substantial ongoing program of financial and technical support for nonprofit community efforts to share advance network services among multiple low income residences including but not limited to wireless community networks.. In addition, the should 6) make small non-profit organizations (e.g. less than 5 employees) and microenterprises eligible for substantial discounts for broadband options such as single line modem with dynamic IP for their business locations and 7) direct a percentage of the cost savings from the merger synergies be devoted to overcoming the digital divide by funding new and existing Community Technology Centers in the Telecommunications Company’s service territory.
http://www.ohioccn.org/Press%20Release.htm

For additional information, see www.puc.state.oh.us and search for testimony from the Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition and APAC
* SBC/ATT merger (Case No. 05-269-TP-ACO)
* MCI/Verizon merger case (Case No 05-0497-TP-ACO)