Subj: Dictate monopoly
(R), (c) Wlodek Black
Subject time payment of telephone conversations in Moscow in
recent weeks, gaining momentum and gradually becomes a critical
issue. This is understandable - phone innovations affect
everyone of us. Specific numbers and dates have already called
- $ 100 a minute, about 22 minutes a day free of charge, a
monthly allowance; date run counter - July 1998.
Critical issue was the topic, in particular, devoted a large
(at two rooms) analytical article candidate of technical
sciences Gelman Moses' time-based solicitation by telephone,
"published in" Pravda-5, 20 and 21 November.
Due to the fact that an article published in Pravda,
five ", are subject to copyright, direct Reprint
not possible.
And the title of the article and the topic - "Dictate
monopoly" - do not raise doubts about the position of the
author.
Rebuttal utility venture MGTS author, Ph.D., begins with an
engineering evaluation of the project. Adoption, that the
introduction of the counter will reduce the load on the
telephone network can not withstand any criticism. Experiments
carried out as early as 80 years in several large cities (then
venture failed) showed: full load on the telephone line has
only grown; number of calls from office phones increased by 40%;
no benefit has been received. Redistribution of time and
physical route switching upset the strategic ideology
construction of telephone networks, which can be briefly
described by the following figures: 1 line of 10 customers, so
Statistics as a subscriber of the 10-and existing at a time
uses a telephone, no more, 75% of subscribers to slander per
month less than 700 minutes, 15% - up to 1000 minutes, 10% -
More than 1000 minutes. Proposed MGTS rate in 600 minutes with
a little a month, according to the author, clearly understated
- the technical network capabilities allow more, up to 60
minutes a day, and this time, "the tube" spend only a few
percent of subscribers. Intention to restrict the access of
subscribers to telephone service for time means either that the
telephone network is designed properly (it is not), or the
reason lies not in technology.
Economic background of the author sees primarily in the
monopoly of MGTS on the market of communication services. Even
if the introduction of counter does not lead to direct the flow
of funds to pay for oversized minutes (likely will not -
subscribers will reduce the time for talk), perhaps indirectly
profit from the reduction of capital investment in network
development - new subscribers can be connected without
increasing capacity, that is, the price decline in the quality
of communication services in the daytime (peak load) and
limiting their number in the evening (counter). On the issue of
cost innovations author reply refused, citing commercial
secrecy. But we know that will not only enable the counter, but
to increase the monthly subscription fee. In fact, this may
mean payment of equipment and works on the "counter" all
subscribers, regardless of their degree of talkativeness by
telephone. By another side effects caused by the displacement
of telephone activity in the daytime, the author draws
attention: Starting to get additional phone bills, state, and
the more commercial organizations will be correct its financial
position by us to you, that is, by raising the prices of goods
and services. And this is - a new round of inflation, doubt
which is not necessary, he prishodit for each increase in costs
for travel, utilities, etc. vital important and relevant to all
spheres. Now here - the phone.
For all that, now works with the efficiency of MGTS
20% (very good indicator.) Operating costs of individual rooms
is 30 thousand rubles a month at the tariff for the population
20 tys.r., the difference is compensated by fees for commercial
organizations - 110 tys.r. and low cost - 55 m. rubles. MGTS
profitability, according to M. Gelman, exceeds similar to those
of the leading U.S. company ATT.
In support of economic questionable "counter" by
transferred to the legal arguments. Despite repeated
requirements, management MGTS has not yet been provided to the
antitrust authorities estimate their costs for the project. The
existing practice of charging for legal persons is contrary to
article 27 of the Law "On communication" and the new "Rules of
telephone services "(paragraph 80). The very fact that attempts
to introduce time payment is contrary to the Law "On natural
monopolies" (Article 5). According to the author, is illegal
and Resolution Number 1235 of the Russian government, which
provides telephone companies right to set tariffs and shape
into account the cost of services.
Mention the author and the lease wire lines MGTS companies
cellular communication, seeing limited access ordinary
subscribers the opportunity to a greater extent, to provide a
lease with the extraction of benefits for MGTS. Referring to
the interests of users of modems, The author has no objection
to charging subscription fees for the operation of data
communications over telephone lines, but believes that the time
payment is unacceptable in this case.
In the editorial of Pravda Five "emphasizes that
Article Guelman a formal request to the Prosecutor's Office
Moscow with a request to check out the article violations of
existing legislation and take appropriate action.
Assuming that the prosecutor's office did take
measures to curb the appetites of a monopolist, and the
legitimacy of triumph, the decision to impose time payment will
not be made the most of MGTS. Empowered to make such a decision
only federal agency or authorized them. And the executive
authorities, as we know, are accountable to the elected
legislative structures (at least, it should be by law). Not far
off December 14 - Elections to the Moscow City Duma. Now
everywhere are meeting with the candidates, launched the
campaign. Nothing prevents to draw the attention of candidates
for the problem. And the government of Moscow headed by Yuri
Luzhkov can show common sense, remember as recently went crash
crazy idea to commercial bus routes, and nothing returned all
back on track. But, of course, illusions about the present
rulers of Russia narodolyubiya naive, however, despite the hope
dies last, we will prepare for the worst. I have already asked
to share their experience in those regions where the "counter"
including long. Yes, and reserve optimization and
rationalization of the network, its servers and users are far
from exhausted. A tighten their belts we are not unusual.
Accustomed to. Other and do not wait. But resigned it?
