We need to develop an appropriate model for local Internet service organizations. If these service organizations are to provide affordable service, they probably require a customer base of around 5000 users to support basic staffing and facilities. To allow an organization to reach this size, and to provide investors with sufficient safety to justify investment, some form or market entry limitation is probably necessary – and some form of regulation or other mechanism will be needed to balance the granting of such a monopoly.
Predictor: Fidelman, Miles
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “Models for the Internet Local Loop” by Miles Fidelman, president of the Center for Civic Networking, a non-profit organization dedicated to the application of information infrastructure to community and economic development. He writes: ”We need to develop an appropriate model for local Internet service organizations. If these service organizations are to provide affordable service, they probably require a customer base of around 5000 users to support basic staffing and facilities. To allow an organization to reach this size, and to provide investors with sufficient safety to justify investment, some form or market entry limitation is probably necessary – and some form of regulation or other mechanism will be needed to balance the granting of such a monopoly.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Internet Service Providers
Name of publication: Public Access to the Internet (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Models for the Internet Local Loop
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 231, 232
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne