Sacramento, Calif. (PRWEB) August 19, 2005
The California ISP Association (CISPA), the largest state association of Internet service providers, spoke before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today against the Verizon / MCI hearing in Long Beach. The California ISP Association believes that the Verizon / MCI merger would remove competition, create geographical monopolies, and curtail our Freedom of Choice, our Freedom of Speech, and our Freedom of Press.
Mark Esser, Vice President Board of Directors California ISP Association, in a speech before the CPUC made a number of major points on why the Verizon / MCI merger will be bad for business, and the people of the state of California.
“Duopolies or Oligopolies do not create competition in the market place. More importantly, the structure of telecommunication coverage areas in our state will create Monopolies in geographical areas. As an example, not once have I heard of Verizon or SBC attempting to service the area of the other ILEC for any telecommunication service.”
“The amended Telecommunication Act was designed to bring competition, with the purpose of having the large phone companies compete with each other for customers.”
“Furthermore, the structure of the Utilities Right-of-Way, paid for by the people of California, is now set up in such a way, that no other group can join in and utilize the right-of-ways. I quote the retired General Manager of Santa Clara Cable:. ‘The last time there was a fairly open access to the Utilities Right of Way was during the birth of the Cable Television Industries.’