RSS
The Telegraph And Natural Monopolies In Communications
from the how-do-you-deal-with-them? dept
A bunch of folks have sent in Matthew Lasar's excellent look back at some of the early days of the telegraph system and how it parallels some questions that we face today over things like net neutrality. The basic story is that Western Union worked out a way to gain a monopoly on the telegraph, and then worked out a deal with the Associated Press, whereby all AP papers would use Western Union, and none would support the creation of a competing telegraph company. From all of this, there is even the suggestion that a presidential election was stolen. It's a worthwhile read.
Of course, the parallels are not perfect, and there are lots of other questions to be raised, but there are some good points to think about, when you're dealing with a communications system that is, effectively, a natural monopoly. As the FCC suddenly seems open to the concept of line sharing again, after being down on it for so many years, it's at least worth looking at the history on things like the telegraph, to understand why competition really is a good thing, especially when it comes to the major means of communication.
4 Comments | Leave a Comment..
- The First Analysis Of The Web: Vague, But Exciting
- How The RIAA & MPAA Are Like The Anti-Innovation German Weavers' Guild Of The 16th Century
- The History Of Sealand, HavenCo And Why Protecting Your Data Needs More Than Being In International Waters
- Forget Home Taping: Evil Robots Are Killing Music!
- Store Payment Info In Your Online Store? Watch Out For Patent Infringement Lawsuits
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
Monopolies are always bad.
Still some claim that it helps.
There are natural monopolies that form and take over the market that have some checks but they don't drive innovation as they kill all competition(Standard Oil and the Telegraph).
There are coercive monopolies or De Jure monopolies that are coercive monopolies that take all options from others inside society.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
I am entitled!
I demand proper attribution, $20,000,000 punitive damages, $30,000,000 statutory damages, Mike's internet connection be pulled for a decade, and that he be extradited to Canada, that he may be publicly flogged with a maple branch (we call it Canada Style up here).
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Victorian Internet
I use material from it in my Social Issues of IT class.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Aint no natural monopoly.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Add Your Comment