Guess whats the event after Internet2?

Okay, Cruise Missile is definitely out of my league :)

Anyway, this Internet2 trip for me is all about routing: How network A connect to network B when there are multiple paths, one shorter latency and another bigger pipe and unfortunately not both at the same time, and how applications deal with it. Most just give up and say MPLS which is okay but in a longer term, how do we build a network that can route packets based on different application requirements.

Of course, lets not ignore the politics of it. For example, SingAREN has multiple possible paths to APAN-JP, one direct 155mbps, another indirect 622mbps via TEIN2-SG POP, and yet another 622mbps to Taiwan then 622mbps to 622mbps to APAN-JP. Logically, the preference route would be direct, then 622mbps via TEIN2 and lastly via Taiwan. Yet somehow, we end up preferring Taiwan as a secondary route over TEIN2-SG POP.

Just read this commentary

The Chicago Sun Times reports that AT&T has donated $1 million to a community center founded by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). Rush is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which is writing telecom law that would give AT&T everything telcos want, from killing net neutrality, to letting telcos establish municipal video franchises without government oversight.

Two days ago, I went to the Digital Expo City where Vint was giving the keynote. He was surprised to see me sitting at the back. Anyway, I caught up with him after the event and we chat a little about Net Neutrality.

One thing he mentioned is 2006 Senate election. Given the stakes on the outcome of the Net Neturality debate is very high for both Bells and Net companies, it is logical the politicans will drag the Net Neutrality debate at least till the election (or even after) so that they would get as much campaign contributions as possible from both side.

Thus, it isnt surprising that AT&T donated to the charity associated with Representative Bobby Rush since Rep. Rush is one of the key member of the committee overseeing the overhaul of the Telecommunication Act. In fact, I would be surprised if Net companies don’t play a similar game…they would be silly not to.

Some may feel that all these “money politics” are wrong. First, it is naive to think politicians can run their election campaigns without donations. No one has pocket deep enough that they will turn down (corporate) donations. Second, campaign contributions are perfectly legal so long it confirm to FECA and BCRA. What is not allowed (in BCRA) is “soft money”.

So the question is AT&T donation to the charity considered “soft money”? Many people think it is. I am no lawyer and certainly no expert on BCRA but I do know that the spirit of the law does not always align with the letter of the law. Not withstanding testing in court or at least an informed legal opinion, it is really difficult to say.

However, I don’t think AT&T would make such a simple mistake without covering their bases. They are afterall the master of the game.

Went over to Reston to attend the Digital City Expo. Vint Cerf was the keynote speaker :)

I am surprised to see so many city government officials, mostly for their fact finding trip to deploy their own muni-wireless. The driver for deploying the muni-wireless however is very different compared to metro-wireless or those deployed in Asia. Metro is mostly serving the mobile professionals (who already have internet access at home) while they are in the city while those in Asia are for alternative access and somewhat political. Muni-wireless however has a different set of drivers: getting broadband to the community to preserve jobs, increase revenue (partial due to lose of tax revenue due to VoIP), no ISPs or poor/expensive Internet access, community needs etc. Most of these cities also migrate their existing AMR onto the wireless network (e.g. equip’ing police cars with laptops). And best of all, the return on investments are very appealing.

The obvious questions on whether city governments should compete with private companies in providing Internet services. And quoting Vint Cerf, “It is not penal”. :-)

Joining the echo chamber (altho a bit late), Viral Marketing Contest to Save The Internet by Jeff Pulver.

Ok, I am officially putting my money where my mouth is. I am initiating a viral video/ad contest to save the Internet.

I am fed up with the current wave of soundbites, platitudes, ads and marketing flooding the airwaves that profess to speak for the advancement of the Internet and communications. These ads are influencing Congress and governments around the World as they write the rules that will shape the future of the Internet and communications.

Also check out Save The Internet.

20+ hrs but finally arrived safely in Washington. All I can say is I really love SQ22, the direct non-stop flight from Singapore to New York. By the way, here are some breath taking photos I took while we fly over the north pole.

I also love attending a conference where the organizer actually provide wireless all the way to your room :-)

Packing my stuff right now for a long trip to attend the Internet2 meeting in Virginia. Haven’t being back to US for a while and I dont really look forward to the jetlag :-(

Oh yea, a friend told me I should also dropped by Digital City Expo since I will be there.

Wall Street Journal

Amazing story wasn’t it, when that iconic tech company said it would help users run the operating system of its longtime rival as well as its own? No, not the Apple Computer-Windows announcement, but one made at about the same time that got vastly less attention, even though it may be more significant. On April 3, Microsoft surprised everyone when it said that from now on, it will support business customers who also use Linux.

Remind me of what the bold prediction I made two years ago :-)

I wrote this couple of days ago but didnt publish because I am concerned about the sensitivity. But heck, I think I think too much…

—
I went up to KL yesterday to catch up some friend and found out PIKOM PC Fair start today at KLCC. PIKOM is the Computer Association of Malaysia and they held one of the largest PC Fair (something like COMDEX) in Malaysia yearly. This year, they decided to hold their PC Fair in 25 venue (across multiple states) at the same time!

Anyway, I went over this morning only to be stopped by the guards :P Luckily, made a phone call to a friend in PIKOM and whee, I am in ;-)

The guest of honour is Y.B. Dato’ Sri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, the Minister for Energy, Water and Communications. Dr. Lim is a seasoned politician and has been the Minister for Primary Industry for the last 20 years. Most people would associate rubber and palm oil with Malaysia and you know whose credit it goes to :-)

This is the first time I hear Dr. Lim speaks and I really enjoyed it! He is an extremely funny and entertaining speaker while at the same time able to bring across his points. Like “When I first took over the Ministry, Malaysia broadband is 0.4%. 2 years now, we are at 4%, 10 fold increase …wah..all can sit back relax play golf huh?”. The room burst into laughter when he added “4% my foot!” Or like how he challenges the reporters to “stop talking about the crooked bridge and talks about THIS! (broadband in Malaysia…or the lack of it)”

Funny aside, it is also quite clear he meant business: That he wants broadband to grow, ICT industy to grow, more investments and definitely more liberalization (“you think i dunno who is the toll keeper?” :-) It is also quite clear he is all for industry self-regulation but if they dont play nice, he wont hesitate to step in.

And the catch phrase for the day: “Come dream with me”
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This is why I love coming to Japan :-)

This is why I (or anyone) shouldn’t go to Joi Ito‘s lab, ever :-(

And before I forgot, this is the latest FOMA P901iTV – watch TV on the phone :-)

Beside the little hiccup of calling Martin Varsavsky‘s room only to get his tired and very annoyed wife hanging up on me, I think the trip went well. (Luckily, I found Martin wandering at the lounge trying to look for me so we managed to hook up :-)

Thanks to all my friends who spare their valuable time with me this trip.

Just got this from my inbox: China to regulate Internet Email Service

… in order to regulate Internet Email Services and safeguard the legal rights of the end users, Ministry of Information Industry (MII) of P. R. China enacted the first national anti-Spam regulation on March 30th, 2006, which is hereby formulated in accordance with related national laws on telecommunications and Internet.

Great news! China has anti-spam regulation now! Wohoo!

But wait, it goes on:

According to the Regulation, any organization or individual is not allowed to provide Internet Email Services within the territory of the P. R. China if it does not receive the License for value-added telecommunication services, or not fulfill the registration procedures for non-profit Internet information services.

The original text from MII’s regulation:

第四条 提供互联网电子邮件服务，应当事先取得增值电信业务经营许可或者依法履行非经营性互联网信息服务备案手续。
未取得增值电信业务经营许可或者未履行非经营性互联网信息服务备案手续，任何组织