Re: OT Rant Re: ADSL again

[Stephen Lee <sl@example.com>]

kei furuuchi <kfur@example.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 06, 2001 at 10:30:19PM +0900, Jonathan Q wrote:
> > Don't you have the least bit of
> > a problem with that sort of Microsoft-esque way of doing
> > business?  Apparently not, or maybe you do - a tiny bit -
> > but saving 1300 yen a month is more important.  I don't know
> > about you, but I don't like doing business with companies 
> > whom I believe are unethical and sticking up both consumers
> > and competitors, and I take my business elsewhere.
> 
> [snip]
> 
> And you didn't answer my second quesion: relation between eaccess and ntt.
> Is eaccess competing with ntt or just franchising from ntt?
> Eaccess also could lower the price to match ntt price. as business, they
> could opt for that. Why don't they. Or they could be not for profit 
> organization and ask for donation for the price. 

eaccess is competing with NTT, but they have to rent the pair of copper
wire that goes from NTT's central office to your house.  And NTT gets to
decide the rent, so you can see NTT has the advantage here.

When you apply for eaccess service, either they or you have to ask NTT to
wire those pair of copper for ADSL service, and connect them to eaccess'
equipments.  Allegedly NTT dragged their feet doing these for their
competitions.

It is not (only) an ethical question; it is that if people support NTT's
tactics, their competition will more likely die out, and without
competition, NTT will be free to charge you more, have no incentive to improve
their service, etc etc.

OTOH, I don't like the "32,000 yen up front and you still don't get to own 
the ADSL modem" charge Metallic and some of eaccess' associated ISP have.
At least you can opt to buy the modem from NTT or rent it, which is more
fair IMO.  With FTTH coming I am not sure I'll keep ADSL for long, and
having the option to rent the modem is surely nicer than having to invest
heavily at this time.

disclaimer: I am not using ADSL at this time nor am I employed by any of
the above mentioned companies.

Stephen