[seul-edu] Open Source Model for Bandwidth Distribution

[John Munro <jmunro@uvi.edu>]

To get a great idea, first start with lots of
ideas...

How might principles and practices of opensource licensing and rules like
"if you want to play you can't keep all the marbles" be applied
to internet bandwidth?  

Consider this IT environment:

Up to now, in this locale, ISPs and other telecommunications
entrepreneurs have obtained monopoly status in bandwidth distribution,
resulting in overpricing, oversubscribing, and hampered
development.  Their mode might be considered "our way or no
way".  Of course, rates are high, and reliability can be
whatever they choose to support.  
 
My semi-vast idea is to have a policy/contract that would apply to
(mostly wholesale?) customers of bandwidth.  If a grant or
organization contracted for "a firehose' of bandwidth, then any
person or company could purchase portions of that bandwidth for use or
redistribution so long as they did not restrict or monopolize or
constrain others from doing the same.  It should allow healthy
competition, enable and encourage efficient business processes, and
enhance IT development, infrastructure, and technology
resources.

Of course this may threaten companies who have relied on past subsidies
and artificial/legal barriers to competition, but such a policy need not
preclude their participation.  Under this new structure, I would
expect more robust options, better end-user prices, and healthier
information systems and resources.

Perhaps someone out there in seul-world has some ideas, perspectives, or
suggestions to present?

Thanks in advance for your input and feedback.

John Munro
jmunro@uvi.edu
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands  


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