Some Unsolicited Advice: NLR Should Blow its Own Horn
November 6th, 2007 by Gordon Cook
Cook’s Edge: I have been wondering how the merger negotiations could have been restarted only eight months ago - after being halted a year ago. Apparently NLR members were reminded that in 2008 they would be asked to make a second five million dollar buy in for another five years and another NLR network up grade. To a few members, the idea that by merging with I2 they could save the up coming buy in was quite appealing. Thus the “merge-merge-merge” anonymous cheer leading in response to my first blog entry on August 29.
I checked out my theory that commercial entities could buy shares in NLR and get their own lightwaves at VERY CHEAP prices to run as development networks as suggested by another individual. Absolutely correct was the reply.
That being the case I will close by offering NLR some unsolicited advice. Bite the bullet. Put out a press release that NLR is seeking development partnerships with the private sector. Do what needs to be done to ensure that funds are there for the network upgrade for late next year. If some NLR members withdraw accept the inevitable. Act to ensure the survival of as much of the national footprint as possible and get commercial partnerships underway.
Many enterprises have major need for networks on which to run developmental projects- while in their developmental stages these projects don’t need mission critical infrastructure. There is a real need for such services. NLR is well equipped to offer such test beds. Unfortunately if it does not tell the corporate world LOUD and CLEAR about this capability wounded from 3 years of merger squabble it could die.
I was certainly encouraged to get evidence from the national state network map from Indiana of the extent to which the states have been doing the right thing and making their own investments. – the gaps leaving them disconnected are not large. They could be filled in. I think it is time to do so.
Today on my Economics of IP Networks list Erik Hunsinger commented:
“a quick note of clarification:
-Doug and Tom were removed from direct negotiations. The Chair of each board assumed led roles in the last round of merger talks.
-I2’s HQ is in Ann Arbor not DC (not that it substantially impacts the managed philosophy)
-Finally, NLR is nationally run. The regionals funded NLR (similar to the members of the other network). The vision and planning was Tom’s in conversation with the community.
Tom put community talk into action and made a national network happen. I still remember him walking out of Level 3 shaking his head in disbelief when Level 3 said ‘no’ to his request for fiber. About a year later, he convinced Wiltel and Level 3 it would be a good thing to sell fiber to R&E organizations and the race for NLR business was on.”
Another list member added:
What is at stake is the philosophy of centralized control in DC (which believes in “managed services” purchased from carriers) vs regional operations which have the hands-on experience and the resulting understanding that ownership matters. And it may well be that this philosophical divide will determine the future of the net. Do we continue to borrow the car keys from daddy telco, or do we learn our lessons from internet1 and build our own? How do you explain to someone who has lived their entire life in a rented hotel room the benefits of ownership?”
and for a really shallow biased to I2 story see this piece of junk
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071107/ap_on_hi_te/techbit_faster_internet