----- Original Message -----
From: "Leo Bicknell" <bicknell@ufp.org>
After looking at many models I think Australia might be on to something. The model is that a quasi-government monopoly provides the last mile physical wire, but is unable to sell services on it. Basically they only provide UNE's. Then, at the switching center any ISP can pick up those UNE's and provide services. Competition to the end user, while the last mile is always a single povider limiting the issues above. Many cities are trying the same with electric service, one companie provides the transport infrastructure and when you select a generation provider.
That's what I've been advocating, what Verizon *really* *REALLY* doesn't want to happen (to the point that they've been agitating -- successfully in some cases -- for state laws to forbid it), and what I think, based on not a lot of evidence, Google is quietly encouraging with their Big Secret Project. Last mile fiber *really is* a Natural Monopoly. And yeah, that's roughly how power competition was handled as well. Cheers, -- jra