On Sat, Jun 19, 2004 at 11:40:03PM -0400, John C Klensin wrote: > First, Hadmut, and others with his concerns in other countries, > probably need to approach the local regulatory authorities who > are concerned about consumer fraud and say "the range of things > that people are selling under the name 'Internet service' > includes too broad a range. Correct in principle, but no chance to do it in reality. If I contact the regulatory authorities, they will ask me "What's wrong with those ISP's?" I answer "They do... and the don't..." They'd say: Uhm, we're familiar with the Internet in common, but not with all those details. Most people seem to be happy with that, and if not, why don't you change to a provider of your taste? We don't see why there is a need to change the status quo of ISPs. I'd reply: Because that's not correct. This is not "Internet". This is some approx. This causes technical problems. This is fraud. They'd say: Who are you to tell what's correct and what's "Internet"? Nobody has ever defined that term. If there is no definition, then there is no "correct" or "not correct". But if we had a precise definition and a taxonomy of the different classes of ISPs, I could say: Look, the IETF has given a definition. They're the guys who control the internet and keep it running well. They are exactly the ones to tell what's correct and what's not. And now, some of those german providers are violating law. Because they are actually advertising to provide internet, what they in fact don't do. False advertising is unlawful. regards Hadmut _______________________________________________ Ietf@xxxxxxxx https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf