Comments on: When The Internet Goes Out http://chrismlindsey.com/when-the-internet-goes-out/ Just My Little Site Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:18:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris M. Lindsey http://chrismlindsey.com/when-the-internet-goes-out/#comment-115 Chris M. Lindsey Sun, 03 May 2009 04:07:21 +0000 http://www.chrismlindsey.com/?p=773#comment-115 PS - I think if someone specifically targets communications infrastructure in a major city (or any city, really), there will be major economic damage done, and likely lives lost. I hate to sound like a doomsdayer or conspiracy theorist, but it could happen. PS – I think if someone specifically targets communications infrastructure in a major city (or any city, really), there will be major economic damage done, and likely lives lost. I hate to sound like a doomsdayer or conspiracy theorist, but it could happen.

]]> By: Chris M. Lindsey http://chrismlindsey.com/when-the-internet-goes-out/#comment-113 Chris M. Lindsey Sun, 03 May 2009 03:55:30 +0000 http://www.chrismlindsey.com/?p=773#comment-113 Brett, you are exactly right. On the issue of Wilson, NC, becoming an internet provider: I don't really have a problem with them providing internet. In some places, a market failure leaves people without good internet access; in this case, I think it is worth it for government to become involved. Governments have been providing utilities (which internet access is) for a while. Now, do I think governments can provide internet in an efficient, cheap, and stable manner? That, I don't know. I think I am more upset with Time Warner suing the city and trying to get the state to outlaw local government providers of internet. That is worthless, anti-competitive, and not in anyone's interest. I think governments are beginning to see the light on emergency communications interoperability. Post-9/11 (and after other emergencies, including Katrina), public safety leaders found that their proprietary radio systems couldn't communicate with jurisdictions around theirs. In the Kansas City area, there were (and pretty much still are) something like seven different radio providers, that couldn't interact with each other. It is my hope that these problems are also connected to relying on one internet provider in an area, but I seriously doubt it. From what I've seen, places react to problems and don't take proactive action. I think if a city can think broadly and with the future in mind when making these decisions, they might be good/successful. Brett, you are exactly right.

On the issue of Wilson, NC, becoming an internet provider: I don’t really have a problem with them providing internet. In some places, a market failure leaves people without good internet access; in this case, I think it is worth it for government to become involved. Governments have been providing utilities (which internet access is) for a while. Now, do I think governments can provide internet in an efficient, cheap, and stable manner? That, I don’t know. I think I am more upset with Time Warner suing the city and trying to get the state to outlaw local government providers of internet. That is worthless, anti-competitive, and not in anyone’s interest.

I think governments are beginning to see the light on emergency communications interoperability. Post-9/11 (and after other emergencies, including Katrina), public safety leaders found that their proprietary radio systems couldn’t communicate with jurisdictions around theirs. In the Kansas City area, there were (and pretty much still are) something like seven different radio providers, that couldn’t interact with each other. It is my hope that these problems are also connected to relying on one internet provider in an area, but I seriously doubt it. From what I’ve seen, places react to problems and don’t take proactive action.

I think if a city can think broadly and with the future in mind when making these decisions, they might be good/successful.

]]> By: Brett http://chrismlindsey.com/when-the-internet-goes-out/#comment-114 Brett Sun, 03 May 2009 03:34:39 +0000 http://www.chrismlindsey.com/?p=773#comment-114 This was actually a focus of my INTL 3200 class when we were discussing global conflict and terrorism. I wish I could recall the article we had to read that talked about how the biggest threat to national security didn't lie in financial institutions (there are backups) or in government buildings, but rather in our infrastructure. Our power plants, communication hubs, etc. It's something that Die Hard 4 actually highlighted quite realistically. Good topic for discussion. How would we survive in an age of internet terrorism or attacks against soft targets? Or what if these services were taken out by a natural disaster? Jam cell towers, disable what is often the only internet provider in an area, and cause power disruptions and you have a perfect disaster cocktail. Related note: Could the strategy of Wilson, NC to provide internet service that Time Warner can't compete with help or hinder this situation? What are your thoughts on local governments getting involved in offering these services? This was actually a focus of my INTL 3200 class when we were discussing global conflict and terrorism. I wish I could recall the article we had to read that talked about how the biggest threat to national security didn’t lie in financial institutions (there are backups) or in government buildings, but rather in our infrastructure. Our power plants, communication hubs, etc. It’s something that Die Hard 4 actually highlighted quite realistically.

Good topic for discussion. How would we survive in an age of internet terrorism or attacks against soft targets? Or what if these services were taken out by a natural disaster? Jam cell towers, disable what is often the only internet provider in an area, and cause power disruptions and you have a perfect disaster cocktail.

Related note: Could the strategy of Wilson, NC to provide internet service that Time Warner can’t compete with help or hinder this situation? What are your thoughts on local governments getting involved in offering these services?

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