[sllug-members]: UTOPIA - any advice?

[Steve]

Might want to mention to the council that the article they have in
hand was financed by the companies who stand the most to lose from
Utopia coming in, namely the cable and phone companies.

They just don't seem to get it.  If a company wants to offer it's
services over Utopia, then it certainly can.  What these companies
actually fear, is that if they don't control the infrastructure
access, then they have to (insert shocked face) compete!  And they
will have to compete on both price and service!

I recently had a billing problem with MStar.  No matter what I did
they wouldn't resolve it.
Finally they shut me off.  I called up Xmission and within a few
minutes had a new provider and service restored.

Imagine if you called Comcast because of a billing problem, they
wouldn't fix it, and eventually shut you off.  There goes your TV as
well as possibly Internet and Phone!  All with no way to get these
services turned back on.  Without at a minimum a 15 day wait, and
possibly an expensive service call and untold hours on the phone.

Utopia absolutely is the best idea this state has had in YEARs, and
pretty much the only people who really oppose it at this stage, are in
the pockets of the cable, and phone company.

I have informed several members of my city government (I live in Orem)
that the reason I  voted, or not for them, was due to their stance on
Utopia and it's related initiatives.  Maybe if you voice the same they
will listen, maybe not, but it's worth a shot.

Sincerely,
Steve

On 9/21/07, Jon Fullmer <jon at jonfullmer.com> wrote:
> I don't mean to beat the UTOPIA topic to death, but I got some
> unfortunate news recently.
>
> Cottonwood Heights (where I live) had been cnsidering UTOPIA.  While
> they haven't officially dropped the idea, it's not likely to survive.
> The August 2007 Government Finance Review had an article that
> mentioned that municipally-owned infrastructures (like UTOPIA) have
> typically been most successful in areas where private enterprises
> were not willing or able to provide service. The logic is that
> because Qwest and Comcast provide "service" to the city, UTOPIA may
> not be as successful.
>
> I plan to at least let the council know how ludicrous this is.
> Neither Qwest nor Comcast are going to bring fiber to my house, nor
> are they going to provide the level of "service" provided by UTOPIA.
> But aside from expressing my disdain, do any of you have any other
> suggestions?
>
> My technical/geek skills are strong, but my political skills are
> weak.  Any help would be appreciated.
>
>   - Jon
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