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Cox Crow

Asking the Stupid Questions Since 1971
 Wednesday, October 23, 2002

On Sale Now at Bargain Prices!

Wired has an article, featuring Level 3, on the on-going telecom fire sale. Level 3 has a clear focus on providing the infrastructure for the network, without worrying about what's up on top.

Some wonder if Level 3 will also have to bid against its own biggest customers — giant telcos and ISPs like SBC and AOL, which could seize the opportunity to buy data networks on the cheap. Many of these companies already operate their own networks on facilities leased from Level 3 and other carriers: "The economics are so attractive we couldn't afford not to," says EarthLink's Betty. "But we don't own any fiber — that's not our business."

What I find interesting is that the classic model for this industry is vertical integration, or at least the appearance of it, owning both the physical infrastructure and the services that run on that infrastructure — and in many cases the two are hard to untangle. But if the services that run on the infrastructure are not built into the hardware, then vertical integration makes sense in two ways only: as a means of reducing one's network costs, and as a means of increasing the costs of one's competitors. But if someone else can do it cheaper, better, and faster, then why not concentrate on providing the service?

How do you untangle the services from the network?

3:42:23 PM # Google It!
categories: Industry

Fill in the Blank

3:16:04 PM # Google It!
categories: Industry

Adding Value at the Appropriate Network Layer

Yahoo! integrates Macromedia's Flash Communication Server MX into the SBC Yahoo! DSL package:
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2002-- Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - News), a leading global Internet company, and Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq:MACR - News) today announced that Macromedia® Flash(TM) Communication Server MX has been integrated into SBC Yahoo! DSL, a broadband service developed through an alliance between Yahoo! and SBC Communications Inc. An innovative Internet service that delivers an entirely new kind of broadband experience, SBC Yahoo! DSL uses Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX to deliver streaming video news and movie trailers on-demand.

And why is this a good thing?

"By integrating Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX into SBC Yahoo! DSL, members have instant access to streaming content with very little buffering and without having to open a separate media player," said Jim Brock, senior vice president of major initiatives at Yahoo!.
[CED Broadband Direct]

It's just too bad that SBC Yahoo! DSL is geographically isolated.

2:24:06 PM # Google It!
categories: Media

DMCA for Upstream Providers

Just had a DMCA question that I'm unclear on. If a network operator receives notification of offending material that resides on the operator's network the operator must remove the material, usually by blocking access to it. If the material is transient, just passing through, the operator has no obligation. What if the system in question is being assigned an address by the operator, but is not on the operator's network so much as it is joining the operator's network?

In one case, you have Joe Schmoe, a young gentleman of means, who can afford multiple static IP address in addition to his DSL account. On Mr. Schmoe's premises, he connects the DSL equipment to other networking equipment, forming a network, and assigns those purchased IP addresses to various nodes on that network. On one of these nodes he hosts an FTP site where music enthusiasts can exchange files.

In another case, Nancy Schmancy, a young lady of means, purchases a T1 line and a range of IP addresses. On her premises, she connects the T1 equipment to other networking equipment, forming a network, and assigns addresses from that range to various nodes on that network. One of those nodes is a wireless access point, which she configures to assign addresses dynamically to connecting hosts, regardless of their origin. On one of these nodes a neighbor hosts an FTP site where motion picture enthusiasts can exchange files.

In still another case, a large ISP contracts with a third party to provide broadband services to its clients. After the equipment is installed on the customer premises, the third party has no relation with the customer, other than to provide an IP address to the device on the customer premises. Neither the third party nor the large ISP authenticate the assignment of the IP address as they assume that the devices once installed on the customer premises, are not moved. The customer downloads a Gnutella client and lets just anyone copy files from his computer.

The RIAA notices Mr. Schmoe's site, and, unable to determine who he is, sends notification to the owner of the upstream router. The MPAA notices Ms. Schmancy's site, and, unable to determine who she is, sends notification to the owner of the upstream router. The RIAA notices the anonymous customer on the Gnutella network, and, unable to determine who he is, sends notification to the third-party owner of the upstream router.

Is the owner of the upstream router obligated to remove access to the offending site?

1:28:47 PM # Google It!
categories: Law

Leave the Politics to the Big Boys

Sometimes work just up and surprises you — and becomes exciting for a while.

10:32:57 AM # Google It!