Unfortunately, any solution we come up with will have the some limitations that cable companies face: limited bandwidth. No matter how generous you feel towards your subscribers (free or otherwise), you're only going to have x number of megabits to share, and bandwidth throttling and server limitations is the easiest way to do that. They're probably not the _best_ way, but it's an option. Basically, by becoming a provider, we're put in the same hot seat that the cable execs are frying in right now. If we want to have a completely open network, that's really great, but how do we deal with exceptional problems like one of our member's websites getting slashdotted? That'd blow away availability for everyone else who simply wants to get out to the net. I'm playing the devil's advocate on this one, not because I like trolling this list and just disagreeing with your points - honestly, I think it's an issue we've got to worry about. If I had $5,000+ laying around, I'd be placing an order for my instant-just-add-water-ISP right now, and damn the bandwidth issues! - Full speed ahead!! - Nick -----Original Message----- From: tcwug-list-admin at tcwug.org [mailto:tcwug-list-admin at tcwug.org]On Behalf Of Austad, Jay Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2002 4:58 PM To: 'tcwug-list at tcwug.org' Subject: RE: [TCWUG] Richochet boxes? > > However, given the amount of freedom that AOL/TW/ATT > Broadband current > > gives their customers, it would likely be very easy to > compete against > > them. Just don't modify people's traffic, don't block > anything, let > > them run servers, provide static IP's, and provide tiered service > > levels. All of these things are an improvement over ATT > Broadband's > > shitty network, and if ATT came in and offered wireless, > it's probably > > safe to say it's going to suck just as much as their cable modem > > service does. > > Uhm, the cable companies have announced plans to cap bandwidth. > > Unless you pay the fees, running servers is a no-no, period, > on the networks you talk about above. I was making the point that a *non*-ATT/AOL/TW network would likely be able to offer more since all of the cable modem companies are clamping down on bandwidth and servers. Right there is a reason for people to choose the local wireless provider over the 800lb gorillas. Jay _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Wireless Users Group Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota http://www.tcwug.org tcwug-list at tcwug.org https://mailman.real-time.com/mailman/listinfo/tcwug-list