This Tech Central Station article by Laurence Kotlikoff is thoughtful and interesting. He alludes to something that I’ve been meaning to discuss here, but haven’t had time for: the contestability in the local voice market that is arising from the growth of voice over IP (VOIP) phone service.

Anyway, it’s a good article; here’s a teaser:

The Triennial Review was a split decision that largely held the Bells to network sharing obligations, but relieved them of sharing new fiber infrastructure. But the Bells have refused to accept the decision. Instead, they have identified pricing as a way to effectively free themselves from network sharing rules. If leasing rates go up, competition will dry up. Higher wholesale leasing rates are not the answer. On the contrary, they are a large part of the problem.

Now must run to work …

Peter Clarke, at the Adam Smith Institute Weblog, on eliminating the Royal Mail’s postal monopoly:

The Post Office used to run a monopoly telephone service too. Sir Keith Joseph exploded that by privatizing it and bringing in competition. We can all see the dynamic force he released in the phone market today.

We have an open market in parcels. Civilisation did not tumble, but prices did. So let us remove the Royal Mail’s antique status. The paradox is it may then focus on the future and thrive.