16.02.1999 г., вторник
мнение на Винтън Сърф
председател на Интернет Общество ( http://www.isoc.org), повече подробности за личността на г-н Сърф можете да видите на адрес http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/

16 February 1999

Mr. Veni Markovski
Chairman, Internet Society of Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria


via email: Veni Markovski

Dear Mr. Markovski:

Some time ago you brought to my attention the Bulgarian Government's intention to license Internet Service Providers.

I understood this to mean that companies wishing to offer Internet service to businesses, government and the public would need to obtain a license from an agency of the Bulgarian Government before they could undertake to offer such services.

Apart from the possibility that such a practice is contrary to various provisions of Bulgarian law, about which I am not knowledgable, it is my observation that Internet has grown most rapidly and effectively in climates where competition is encouraged and restrictions on operation are minimal.

In the United States, Internet service is considered to be a computer communication application and not subject to regulation in the sense that telephony is regulated. For one thing, multiple Internet service providers can offer service in the same physical region since most customers use either the public switched telephone network for access or special dedicated circuits which can be established between customer and service provider without limitation, that is, there is no natural monopoly associated with Internet service provision.

It is my general view, which I believe to be consistent with Internet Society principles, that competitive provision of Internet service is in the best interest of the public and that licensing has the potential to reduce the benefits of competition without any return for the restriction.


Sincerely,

Vinton G. Cerf
Chairman, Internet Society

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