This section provides a listing of the most recent white papers prepared by Telmarc principals. The Telmarc White Papers are now almost monthly reports on current topics in telecommunications, economics, policy and technology. In general, Telmarc may also publishes a detailed report accompanying each of the Telmarc White Papers.
No. 86 Cancer Models for Understanding, Prediction, and Control
Cancer Models is a review and development of an integrated.intracellular pathway based model along with a full body distributed propagation model of cancer cells. It links the two together and demonstrates how the constants may be determined and how the models may be used for prognostic value and treatment. The underlying cancer being considered is melanoma.
No. 85 Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Prostate Cancer Stem Cells is an analysis of the current state of thinking of cancer stem cells as they apply to prostate cancer. The document reviews many of the current papers and provides a detailed analysis of the process of cell cycle management and control. In addition is poses a number of significant questions regarding these theories.
No. 84 Epistemology of Cancer Genomics
Epistemology of Cancer Genomics is a study of some of the underlying principles, philosophic and otherwise, regarding the building of cancer genomic models.
No. 83 Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia
PIN is a study of HG PIN as a vehicle leading to PCa. We examine its genetic development and then look at the issue of cancer stem cells and HGPIN conversion.
No 82 Prostate Cancer: Metastatic Pathway Identification
Prostate Cancer: Metastatic Pathway Identification (February 2011) This White Paper looks at some recent work done at Dana Farber and examines it from the perspective of pathways. The work at Farber is in line with what we were looking at a couple of years ago as we saw the needs for such developments in health care and its costs management. We examine their result in the light of it being an early step as well as in needing additional development and clarification.
No 81 Backscatter Radiation and Cancer
Backscatter Radiation and Cancer (December 2010) This is a White Paper which presents an analysis of the issue of Backscatter Radiation and its impact on cancer in the human. It focuses on melanoma since the backscatter is primarily in the top 1 cm of the human exposed. It shows that there should be considerable concern regarding the widespread use of this technology.
No 80 PSA Evaluation Methodologies
Evaluation Methodologies (December 2010) This is a White Paper which develops a new PSA evaluation methodology using a system model for prostate cell growth based upon measurable constants. It uses a maximum likelihood approach and is both verifiable and predictable. The paper looks at specific examples but does not provide any clinical recommendations.
No 79 The PSA Controversy
The PSA Controversy (November 2010) This is a White Paper which looks in detail at the PSA test and the many controversies surrounding it. We argue that the development of a CMS CER process will cause significant morbidity and mortality to seniors on Medicare as a result of the confusion regarding the effectiveness of the process.
No 78 Progressivism, Individualism and the Public Intellectual
Progressivism and Individualism (August 2010) This book is a draft of a work in progress which compares neo-individualism to neo-progressivism. It attempts to place a light on the political issues of the current day by placing them in historical context.
No 77 Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Cause and Effect
Obesity and Diabetes (June 2010) This paper is a length analysis of the cause and effects in the chain of sequelae of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes and includes a financial analysis and discussion on policy implications.
No 75 The Rowe Conjecture and the Efficient Market Hypothesis
The Rowe Conjecture and the EMH (February 2010) This White Paper looks at the efficient market hypothesis and bubbles employing a conjecture of Nick Rowe. It combines true market behavior with buyer perception and demonstrates cycles.
No 74 A Comparison of HR 3962 and HR 3200
A Comparison of HR 3962 and HR 3200 (November 2009) This White Paper looks at both Bills and presents details from several key sections.
No 73 Economic Dynamics of the Public Option in Health Care
Economic Dynamics of the Public Option (November 2009) This White Paper looks at the Public Option from a dynamic economic perspective including attractants and repellants for both patients and providers. It demonstrates an analytical tool which can be used to ascertain the dynamic and interactive behavior of the PO. It also shows how the CBO estimate may be well off the mark due to these factors,
No 72 Some Ideas on a Health Care Plan
Some Ideas on a Health Care Plan (September 2009) This is a White Paper which develops a Health Care Plan in a simple and straight forward manner and shows how it can be fully funded providing universal service and coverage from existing funds.
No 71 Medicare Myths and Realities: A Précis Revised
Medicare Myths and Realities (July 2011) This is a Revised White Paper which looks at the myths and realities of Medicare. It builds on prior work and puts in one short White Paper the main argument for Medicare and against the cynics and critics who are attacking it.
NOTE (June 15 2011): I have been told that the 12 year expected life is in error and at 65 the expected life span is 18 more years. I have posted a set of comments on my Blog http://terrymcgarty.blogspot.com/2011/06/medicare-update.html . Also the data is referred to therein. Notwithstanding the correction, I argue in the blog entry that the conclusion is not materially different, unless there is an explosion in health care costs with massive inflationary elements. I do see the potential for than in the explosion of obesity and type 2 Diabetes which I have commented on elsewhere.
No 70 Health Care Cost Reductions
Health Care Cost Reductions (September 2009) This is a White Paper which focuses on specific areas for cost reductions in health care. We estimate a $650 Billion dollar reduction in the 2008 health care costs which can be readily carried forward. We examine a set of specific areas and propose strategies and action plans.
No 68 Medicare: Some Facts Amongst the Fiction
Medicare: Some Facts Amongst the Fiction (September 2009) This is a White Paper which looks at the many issues surrounding Medicare. We show that the average worker contribute 65% more to Medicare than they will ever collect. The problem with Medicare is NOT Medicare but that Congress "steal" the money which has been contributed. This is a clear precedent against ever considering a Government sponsored plan.
No 67 The FED Balance Sheet and Inflation
The FED Balance Sheet and Inflation (August 2009) is a White Paper in which we examine the current explosion in monetary base and its impact on long term inflation. We see a doubling of the monetary base with no change yet in M2 and we expect the M2 growth to explode in the next few years. Inflation well in excess of 15% is anticipated. The new proposed Stimulus, Stimulus II will exacerbate this along with the additional spending proposed by the current Administration.
No 66 Quality: A Challenge for Healthcare
Quality: A Challenge for Healthcare (August 2009) is a White Paper in which we examine the issue of quality. All the legislation purports to provide quality care but there are no definitions. Everyone BUT the patient is involved in determining quality. The Brits define quality by a single number and then ration health care accordingly. The use of that system here we believe would be a death sentence for many.
No 65 Health Care Delivery Options and Strategies
Health Care Options (May 2009) is a current White Paper which looks at the Obama and Baucus Plans and does so in the context of two philosophical schools, overall decision elements and then examines several key weaknesses, namely the Comparative Clinical Effectiveness issue and the issue of Bundling payments. The philosophical schools are the Rawls schools of Justice and the Fleck school of thought collectives. We have examined the Rawls approach a decade ago in the context of Universal service in telephony and we expand that to health care. The Fleck analysis is interesting in that it brings into question the very existence of the "facts" that are used in the underlying arguments and presents the construct of the thought collective.
No 64 Galbraithian (April 2009)
Galbraitianistic (April 2009) is a White Paper where we look at the current Administration, and indirectly others, from the eyes of a Galbraithian and attempt to deconstruct their world view and the paradigms which shape it.
No 63 Remediable Diseases (April 2009)
Remediable Diseases (April 2009) is a White Paper which examines a set of cancers which can be detected in many cases in early stages. However for many of these there is little support for ensuring that this is accomplished resulting a three times increase in health care costs due to the failure to capture at an early state. The failure to capture at a early state is an economic and psychological problem. We believe that the issue can be re-mediated by addressing both issues. Further this analysis brings out an interesting and quite important observation about almost all health care proposals, namely that they merely project the past forward assuming that there will be no fundamental change in medicine and medical techniques. We believe that for many cancers in the 2010-2030 time period that significant genetic modalities of detection and therapeutics will alter the very structure of the health care delivery system.
No 62 Cap and Trade (March 2009)
Cap and Trade (March 2009) is a recent White Paper which looks at the cap and trade proposals of the Administration. It does so by developing a simple but accurate model for the process. It shows that on one hand it is achievable if everything works but that in any political environment there will be so many counter-forces that it will suffer significant litigious lag. In addition we examine the many unintended consequences and it is this analysis which is grossly lacking for all other studies.
No. 61 Type 2 Diabetes: A Controllable Epidemic (March 2009)
Type 2 Diabetes: A Controllable Epidemic (March 2009) is a White Paper which demonstrates the potential impact an economic control of behavior can have in reducing a major health care cost. Type 2 Diabetes is caused by obesity in almost all cases. It currently, in 2008 costs, accounts for almost $275 billion annually or 12% of all health care costs. We estimate that by 2020 it will account for 25% of health care costs and is growing at 10-11% per annum. It is possible to control this at the source by taxing "carbs" as we have taxed tobacco. This paper presents the case from the perspective of the medical evidence, costs factors and economic control models.
No 58 Observations on HR1: The Stimulus Package (February 2009)
Observations on HR1: The Stimulus Package (February 2009) is a White Paper we have prepared to analyze the Stimulus Package HR1 passed by the US House last week. We wish to make several key observations. The more than $350 billion in new Appropriations are massive Pork with tails which will end up costing the taxpayer much more than the Bill itself. They will create massive un-funded mandates and there has been de minimis discussion of any of them. Second, the additions to existing Appropriations, increases in spending, of $250 billion are a mix of support and handouts. The Tax portion of $187 billion is slow to get deployed and does nothing to create a single job!
No 57 Healthcare Policy Redux (February, 2009)
Healthcare Policy Redux (February 2009) is a White Paper which reviews the current Healthcare dilemma and in turn compares some of the current plans including the Obama Plan and goes back and looks at the Hillary Healthcare Plan of 1993. The latter is a benchmark in how not to do anything. We bring up to data many of the issues make recommendations of Demand Control in Healthcare as well as Supply improvement, especially on the cost side.
No 52 The Economy By Obama: Would You Invest In This Business Plan?
The Economy By Obama: Would You Invest in This Business Plan? (January 2009) The Obama camp has just issued their plan for the economy yesterday and it was prepared by Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein. It is exceptional in that it is a short written document with the assumptions and goals clearly spelled out. We argue that there are macroeconomic inconsistencies in the Plan and that the failure to positively address Tax issue will lead to its lack of effectiveness and will further result in massive inflation.
No. 51 European Control of World Financial Markets: A Declaration of War?
European Control of World Financial Markets: A Declaration of War? (January 2009) This is a White Paper which discusses the Merkel-Sarkozy threats to Washington and the incoming Obama Administration about their unilateral restructuring the financial market regulation. We argue that there are things which need improvement but that this unilateral threat to Washington is not only counter-productive but is almost a declaration of War.
No. 49 The Electronic Medical Record: Is this a Digital Revolution in Health Care?
The Electronic Medical Record (January 2009) This is a White Paper which looks at the proposed Obama Plan for the Electronic Medical Record, EMR, as an key element in the economic stimulus package. We argue from our more than twenty years of work in this area that an EMR is an evolving thing and that just throwing money at it may not just be a waste of money but could actually create real harm.
No. 48 The Crisis in Education: Are We Bankrupting Our Future?
The Crisis in Education: Are We Bankrupting Our Future? (January 2009) This is a White Paper discussing the major issues which affect engineering and medicine in our country today. These two areas are example of extremes in their problems. Medicine is becoming so costly that we may loose good students. Engineering has become, at the doctoral level, a have for non citizens funded by the US Government and then sent home.
No. 47 Broadband Infrastructure, You Can't Make This Stuff Up!
Broadband Infrastructure, You Can't Make This Stuff Up! (January 2009) is a White Paper discussing the Free Press and Educause proposals for Broadband Infrastructure spending by the Obama Administration. The paper details the proposals and then process to show how foolish they are based upon our experience in these markets. The proposals lack any realism and demonstrate a total lack of knowledge of rural markets, demands, and execution.
No. 46 If Elephants Had Wings, What Macroeconomists Think, I Think?
If Elephants Had Wings, What Macroeconomists Think, I Think? (December 2008) is a recent White Paper addressing two issues. The first is the generic issue of how macroeconomists think and what this means for our economy going forward. The second takes the proposed Obama Administration investment in infrastructure and how that will cause major inflation while contributing nothing to the overall economy. In the long run we all will be paying for the benefit of a few, and the few are those who choose to life away from society.
No 45 Socialism: Then and Now
Socialism: Then and Now (December 2008) is a White Paper which looks backward to the 1920 Socialist Party Conference and then forward to the current time. We also look at the proposed new Administrations Telecom Policy and especially such issues as a Broadband Czar, a Cabinet Level CTO, Universal Services, and Universal Broadband. As we have shown before, it costs as much to reach the last 10% with broadband as it does to reach the first 90%. That means that the Government could be exposing itself to another tens of billions in costs in addition to all others.
No 42 Policy and Plans, Who will the Broadband Czar Be?
Policy and Plans, Who will the Broadband Czar Be? (November 2008) is a White Paper looking at the Broadband Plans, Policies, Strategies, and the like being proposed in the new Administration. We interpret what many of those now perceived to be on the inside are suggesting the Government should do, namely, create a National Broadband Plan, and establish a Broadband Czar, and use some of the Billions now being thrown about to have a Federal Government sponsored and control broadband build-out.
No 41 The Debt Markets, Uncertainty and What Will Fall Next, The Seven Crises
The Debt Markets, Uncertainty, and What Will Fall Next, The Seven Crises (December 2008) is a White Paper which looks at the current economic crises and looks forward to see what could happen next. Detail on the mortgage markets and the lack of Federal oversight is analyzed in detail. Looking back it is all clear. Looking forward we see a few more crises yet to come and we do not see any resolution until the end of 2010 at best. See MIT/U Chicago 1973 Meeting Overview.
No 39 Internet Margins
Re-looking at Broadband Costs, (August 2008) is a White Paper which looks at the economics of this proposal. Marginally the profit margin exceeds 98% on this proposal! It is a step which has the potential of eventually making the cable companies common carriers, and leaving the telcos unfettered. One must ask what rationale is being used to do this. The cable companies seem to be looking backward from a position of arrogance. When I was at Warner we made certain that under no circumstance would we do anything that would make us a common carrier. However the new generation has no nexus to those days and they seem to believe that they can do anything. The wheel continues to turn and one must look forward and backward.
No 32 Sprint, Google Again and a Field of Others: Does This Group Grope Make Any Sense
Sprint, Google Again and a Field of Others: Does This Group Grope Make Any Sense (May 2008) On May 7, 2007, a group, of what appears to be seven companies, announced a joint venture of sorts to address the wireless market using WiMax and the 2.5 GHz spectrum. The entities are Sprint and Clearwire, who will merge their WiMax spectrum assets, and then Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Google, Intel and a small cable company bright house2. The questions posed by this "merger of monsters" are many. We look at several in this White Paper.
No 31 Skype and Unbundled Wireless
Skype Goes Empty Handed (April 2008) is a White Paper discussing the recent issues regarding the Chairman of the FCC's comments at the 2008 CTIA on April 1, 2008 flatly rejecting in public the Skype filing requesting the ability to attach an alien device to the networks of the wireless carriers. We show that we had filed an even more broad request, unbundling bandwidth, at a much better period, just after the 1996 Act and that it took the FCC five years to reject the request having to issue new rules to base the rejection. We detail our prior arguments, present the strengths and weakness of the Skype petition and show the possible avenues to seek unbundling.
No 30 White Spaces and New Spectrum
White Spaces (April, 2008) are those pieces of 6 MHz spectrum that comprise the spectrum available to television broadcasters and that are not used for anything due to the old limits on analog signaling and the resulting interference problems. The introduction of all digital television in February 2009 creates an opportunity to use that spectrum, on average over 150 to 200 MHz for innovative purposes. The White Spaces proposals are a set of such proposals. The White Paper on White Spaces looks at the issues resolving around this recent flap, again brought out by Google.
No 29 Comcast and Net NeutralityComcast and Stupidity: On February 25, 2008 the FCC held what was to be a public hearing at Harvard Law School on the issue of net neutrality. The result was a fiasco, in our opinion. Comcast packed the room with paid seat warmers and successfully managed to keep the public out. Harvard, in its wisdom, stationed its police with hands on guns to enforce the separation. We comment on this travesty to free speech in our most recent White Paper, Comcast: Snatching Defeat out of the Jaws of Victory (March 2008). The net neutrality argument is quite simple. First, don't look at my packets, second, everyone gets the same price, and third, Comcast can charge whatever the market bears. There is a fundamental technical basis for all of this; cable systems have really limited capacity! They always did and always will as long as they use coax and not fiber to the home. You cannot ask Comcast to carry more than it physically can, simple, laws of physics. But when you have a panel of all lawyers, well, disaster!
No 28 Yahoo V Google
Yahoo and Google: We have prepared a White Paper (March 2008) analysis of the issues related to the pending acquisition by Microsoft of Yahoo and what that could mean to Google. This White Paper, Yahoo v Google, looks at two issues. First it looks at how the acquisition may fare given the culture of Microsoft as less than a customer friendly or considerate entity. Second it looks at what Google should consider in terms of its own next steps.
No 27 The Public Intellectual
Public Intellectuals and Net Neutrality: February 2008 We have been looking at all who comment on Net Neutrality and are amazed that there are more Google hits on Net Neutrality than George W Bush and that there are only seven time more on the word God! There is an exploding market of ideas on this topic. We have prepared a White Paper on Public Intellectuals and Net Neutrality and we look at those who opine on the topic and make suggestions that may help make for a better debate. We rely upon the work of Judge Posner who wrote on this topic in a broader and perhaps more political context.
No 26 Operators vs. Vendors
This White Papers on Operators versus Vendors (February 2008) discusses the issue of what level of control the Operators will retain in the world of open networks.
No 25 Some Observations on the Clearwire Venture
Some Observations on the Clearwire Venture (February 2008) provides a few ideas about the problems in this Clearwire Joint Venture and why it will not work.
No 24 Patent Battles
Patent Battles (February 2008) is a new White Paper which looks at the issues regarding the patent litigation between Verizon and Vonage and Cox as well as that of Sprint all relating to their patents on VOIP. We go over the patent claims and then we provide a detailed historical perspective of the work we and others performed well before the filing of the seminal Verizon patents. We also details what was known at the time the Verizon patent was filed and we argue that most if not only all but more was know and implemented in full public view at that time. We also argue that in our opinion, there is a cultural difference in the people working in this area. The early Internet types communicated what they did in a free and open manner whereas the culture of the LECs is competition through litigation. This may not in the long run be the best for our economy.
No 23 Spectrum Value 700 MHz
Spectrum Value (January 2008) is a new White Paper which addresses the value for the spectrum which is currently being auctioned in the 700 MHz band. It considers the process of estimating value based upon our experience in bidding during the first FCC auction which was the PCS auction. We had developed a detailed model for valuing spectrum and also for executing a bidding process. We explain that in the paper and then we address the same issue for the current 700 MHz spectrum. Our conclusion is that unless there is a rabbit in the hat somewhere at Google, the spectrum cannot be proven in for them if Verizon and AT&T decide they truly want it.
No 22 Muni WiFi Redux and Meraki
Muni WiFi Redux and Meraki (January, 2008) is a White Paper in response to the announcement by Meraki of their most recent round of financing as well as their intent to fully cover San Francisco. This, in our opinion, shows that the Meraki strategy seems to be one of a service provider and NOT a hardware and software provider. Moreover this raises the issue of Google in 700 MHz markets as a licensed entity and Meraki in the unlicensed bands. The article also briefly looks at the response by entities such as FON whose strategy and architecture are quite different.
No 21 Writing Software
Writing Software Again: Measuring MegaGates vs. FemtoGoogles (February, 2008) In writing an RSS feed for this site I discovered many interesting things about the Google strategies. In addition one can learn how Google and Microsoft differ in their approach to the market. People measure their wasted time booting up their system or waiting for software to respond in MegaGates, units of wasted humanity. In contrast people can measure how much is saved or increases in productivity using Google in what I call FemtoGoogles, measure of productivity. Using this set of metrics as a talking point, I explain how one implements RSS as a way of understanding Google. I also look at RSS and its potential for dramatically changing how people deal with information, how information providers deal with people, and what Google will potentially know about all of us. RSS has a truly awesome potential.
No 20 Public Intellectuals and the Internet
Public Intellectuals and Net Neutrality: February 2008 We have been looking at all who comment on Net Neutrality and are amazed that there are more Google hits on Net Neutrality than George W Bush and that there are only seven time more on the word God! There is an exploding market of ideas on this topic. We have prepared a White Paper on Public Intellectuals and Net Neutrality and we look at those who opine on the topic and make suggestions that may help make for a better debate. We rely upon the work of Judge Posner who wrote on this topic in a broader and perhaps more political context.
No 19 Google and The Electronic Shopping Mall
Google and the Electronic Mall: January 2008 We have looked at what could happen to Google if it wins the 700 MHz spectrum and in turn creates an "open" space as an electronic shopping mall operator. It can, line a shopping mall operator create a shopping mall in electronic space and like a shopping mall operator gain a return based on a percent of the gross. We call this the Google Electronic Mall concept. This would enormously expand the Google revenue and cash flow potential. Also, it would switch the shopping mall paradigm around, instead of bring customers to the stores it would bring the stores to the customers!
No 18 Google v Verizon
Want to Play a Game of Chess?: Verizon V Google: December 2007: We have prepared an analysis of the moves made by Verizon in response to the Google G Phone and Android. In our opinion the Verizon moves are a brilliant set of Chess like moves and does several things all in one announcement. First it takes the wind out of the Google sails by making Google Android just one of many possible software platforms which could fit into an LTE environment. It makes Google compete for a position in that space. Second, by opening the network is creates a revenue opportunity which is usage based and uses the old special access tariff regime which it had uses for decades in a very profitable manner. It also throws the a la carte rules back at the Cable companies in an indirect manner just in time for an Administration change. We believe that this was another brilliant Seidenbergian move, one to keep in the record books.
No 17 The G Phone
Google and the GPhone: November 2007: We have prepared a paper looking at Google and the GPhone. We do so by looking at the Facts as they are presented in the market. We arrive at two conclusions; the GPhone is highly problematic due to the entrenched incumbent control of device access, and second, that Google so far has been a one trick pony, and the other markets it enters are most likely to be all competitive.
No 16 The 21st Century Telephone Company
21st Century Telco: September 2007: We have prepared a White Paper on the 21st Century Telco. It is an all fiber, all IP based system, with multiple end user devices and controlled content. We compare the old copper based systems with the new ones on a function by function basis and make several observations. Looking at a Telco in this light one can readily see that Verizon can deployed expensive fiber if and when it eliminates its copper infrastructure and liquidates its many real estate holdings, which are on its books for de minimis amounts. This "hidden cash" will allow even the $3500 per sub to be absorbed. This means that the telcos, if they can effect this strategy, can aggressively build out a network, which they control the content of, and still present a great competitive threat to the cable companies. The war continues!
No 15 Bandwidth and Google
FCC Auctions and 700 MHZ August 2007: In this White Paper we discuss the recent FCC Order for the auctioning of the 700 MHz band the Google request for an open network. We make two observations: first, the FCC, as usual, had made a proposal which will result in massive litigation. The wording for open is so vague and incomprehensible that it is beyond useless. Second, if Google wants to succeed in the process of attaining a truly open design it must present or back, or in some other manner, effect a realizable architecture which depicts what they are talking about. We describe such an architecture and make several recommendations as to how to proceed.
No 14 Internet Neutrality Again
Internet Neutrality October 2006: A recent paper by Sidak provides an excellent discussion of the RBOCs view of the internet neutrality issue. We have analyzed his approach and have provided an alternative view supported by what we have published over the past twenty years. In our opinion the Sidak approach totally ignores the issues of technology and fails grossly to see the other side. It is the appeals brief for the defendant, well done but totally one sided.
No 12 CATV Options: What may be Cable’s response to the Fiber to the Home Initiatives?
CATV Options: What may be Cable’s response to the Fiber to the Home Initiatives? (February 2006) Fiber to the home has been developing over the past twenty years plus. It is a simple technology and generally is a tree and branch type design with limited active elements in the field. The passive optical network (PON) designs, for example, are nothing more than splitter of the light and sharing bandwidth. Passive devices being simple and generally less expensive can provide easily a 1 Gbps access per residence. One still wonders what to do with 1 Gbps, but that is a secondary issue. In addition, it also begs the question of how to provide the last 100 feet in the home, from the connector at the side of the house to all of the devices which can connect to it, a problem FTTH does not readily answer, even with wireless.
No 11 FTTH and Verizon's Costs
FTTH and Verizon August 2006: Verizon has recently stated that its capital requirement for FTTH, they call it FIOS, is $717. In this paper we show that this is, in our opinion, three to five times less than the true market costs for a fully implemented customer.
No 10 Internet Neutrality and Property Rights
Internet Neutrality and Consumer Property Rights July 2006: The paper looks at the issue from the consumer perspective. It identifies a property right of the consumer in their packets and then using bailments and common carriage in the area of common law looks at the implications for the players in the debate. This is a different view than most other analyses. It envisions that there may be substantial and supportable consumer rights and remedies.
No 8 Fiber v Wireless
Fiber Versus Wireless, March 2006. In this paper we address the issue of broadband costs in terms of capital per subscriber. We compare three scenarios. One is the pure FTTH design. The reader can look at the many Telmarc papers which detail these costs. The second is the hybrid system using a fiber backbone. Again we have addressed this in publications. Finally, using the MIT roofnet type designs we look a an all wireless design. The result is that wireless works and has a 100 to 1 capital advantage over fiber! In addition we look a the recent comments of Verizon Counsel Mr. Thorne and analyze his reasoning. Simply, he reiterates the Whitacre Doctrine, "we must get paid for our investment" In business there are no guarantees. If indeed wireless is better then anyone investing in FTTH has no call on the American public to pay for their fiasco.
No 7 Persistence of Common Carriage
The Persistence of Common Carriage, February 2006: This paper focuses on the concept of common carriage and how it is being addressed by certain incumbent carriers. Common carriage is an outgrowth of bailment dating from the fifth century Salic law. Simply it means that if two people want to exchange a good and use a third party, then the third party never takes title to the goods but moreover has duties to the end parties that are significant. That is the Common Carrier cannot peak into packages or in an way interfere with the relationship of the end parties.
No 5 Evolutionary Change in Telecom
The Evolutionary Processes in Telecommunications, January 2006 : This paper looks at what is seen as a dramatic change in telecommunications, namely the loss of copper access lines to the incumbent carriers. The paper performs a study specifically of SBC but the results apply readily to Verizon as well. The short terms winner appears to be the cable companies, with Comcast a clear leader.
No 4 Telecom Regulation Changes
Changes in Telecom Regulation: December, 2005: This paper looks at several of the areas requiring change in the new telecommunications law process.
No. 2 Verizon's Future
Verizon's Future: Wireline and Wireless , November 2005: In this paper we look at Verizon and the impact of wireless on it wireline business. In view of the controlling interest of Vodaphone on the wireless side, we believe that this may end in some form of deadly embrace and significant loss to shareholders.
No. 1 Hidden Costs of Broadband
Broadband and Barriers to Entry: October, 2005: This paper details the problems with the franchise process in the United States and why this process is the number one barrier to entry to any new broadband provider.
1993 Health Care Paper
The 1993 Health Care Paper is an early writing that focuses on Hillary Health Care. An interesting historical read as how not to do something, or an exercise in arrogance.
1990 Harvard Architecture Paper
The Harvard Architecture paper was the primary first step paper which established the Kuhn approach that we now broadly use.