Friday links and questions
1. Verizon's injunction against Vonage seems like a death blow, from what I can understand. Verizon has no reason to settle or otherwise buy out Vonage; Vonage may have insufficient resources to challenge the validity of Verizon's patents. It's been a strange story from the beginning. Vonage is brave and popular, but they depended on the kindness of the network owners to exist. By rights they should exist, and their customers will be sorry to see changes. Do all “independent” VoIP products escape this cloud?
2. We could really use data showing that the incentive to invest in highspeed internet access networks isn't dampened by regulatory neutrality (or other related) requirements. Is the UK a possible source?
3. Barack Obama had a fundraising event in DC last night and I decided to go. He didn't mention telecommunications policy, but he had a lot to say about health, education, and serious US financial problems. His voice is compelling, and his law school friends say he's always been exactly like the way he is now — earnest, smart, committed, listening. The crowd was enthusiastic and asked good questions. My favorite line from Obama:
Q: How do you compare yourself to Hillary Clinton?
A: [pause] I'm taller.
Sen. Obama's presidential announcement included these words: it's time to “lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and
rural towns all across America. We can do that.” Can he carry out his plans? Will he get roughed up by the Clinton juggernaut?