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Show ‘AAG TheSalt Lake Tribune OPINION Sunday, April 27, 1997 ‘Ooops’ Doesn’tExplain Glitch to West Texans I am watching this impending globalcatastropheplayout on the MOLLYIVINS small stage of the Texas Legislature, and what a merry sceneit is. Now, far be it from me to paint with a broad brush; weall know phisticated and advanced out the wazoo. Butlet's face it: There are resulting in a five-page report. logical change since the pickup truck and air conditioning. Obviously, we could include East Texas, North Texas and AUSTIN — My favorite run- South Texas in that sweeping ful news that, come midnight Dec. 31, 1999, all computers will tick statementif we wantto, but there alyses of the consequencesof this ciousin the sound of a West Texas legislatorlistening to some expert explain whythestate has to spend hundredsofmillions of dollars to fix this do-hickey and reacting with a stupefied “Do whut?” is over a notch and announcethatit is Jan. 1, 1900. If you believe the most dire an- slight misunderstanding, planes will then fall from thesky, ballistie missiles will run amok, global something particularly deli- This is heaven forevery technophobein America and around the financial markets will crash, hos- pital life-support systems will shut down, your microwave won't globe.It’s the Luddites’ revenge; it’s the Grumpy Old Reactionaries’ Ball. It’s sweetsatisfaction for every person who has ever been work, your Pontiac won't start, and in general, a fine time will be had byall. Notbeing a computer expert, I baffled by a computer. It’s one in the eye for everyone who can't tell a bit from a byte. The numberof “I told you so’s” that are goingto be flying around can't explain why the computers can't figure out 2000, except that it seems to be a giant case of “Ooops!” The computer guys for- for the next few years is infinite. The numberof serious thinkers got to program it in. And for reasons only the ex- Tribune Has Facts Wrong on US WEST “Howcan you spend $1 million in 30 days?” inquired Buddy West, in a reasonable toneofvoice given the circumstances. Far be it from me to use the millennium monster as an excuse to bash the cyberworld. On the other hand, I recently heard a speech by Louis Rossotto, editor of Wired magazine, on C-SPAN. Rossotto h~'d forth eloquently on the glories of cyberspace, whichis fair enough, but he also denounced all the schnooks who don’tget it. So, Rossotto oversells trifle. It wasa little like listening to those visionaries in 1969 explain about peace andlove and free drugs and rock 'n’ roll. I'm sureit will be a better world, and anyone who doesn’t get it probably is a schnook. But first, someone is going to have to explain it to Buddy West. Ooops. directories at its own cost, sells the advertising and BY TED SMITH bears all financial risks in the directory market. US In myroles as a businessperson, attorney and representative of US WEST, I. must express the pro- found concern I have with the conclusions of The Salt Lake Tribune's recenteditorial (April 20)titled “Questionable Collect Call,” which challenges the need for US WEST’s recent request for an increase in revenues. WEST DEX has completely different shareholders than those of the telephone company. J Third, US WEST’s ownership of the network is irrelevant to the success of any directory publisher because US WESTsells listingsto ail directory publishers on the same terms and conditions. Fourth, contrary to the inference in the editorial, there are Based on mytraining as an attorney, I have always believed that one should not rush to judgmentin the absence of a careful and thorough review of the facts. That is the foundation of our legal system and the basis upon whichthe courts and administrative agencies such as the Public Service Commission operate. Unfortunately, The Tribune did not do so in this case. While I would not have expected that The Tribune many successful directory publishers in Utah which provide directories in direct competition to US WESTDEX.Theprofits of those companies certainly aren't used to subsidize local telephoneservice. Other examples will putthis issue in context. The profits of telecommunications giant British Telecom would have expectedit to have a good understanding of the issues it addresses in the editorial. However, certainlywill not be used to support residentiallocal serviceprices in Utah when MCI, its new subsidiary, enters the local market. Norwill the profits of AT&T affiliates, such as AT&T Wireless, be used to subsidize residential localservice prices when AT&T begins providinglocal service. Nor should they be, but by the same logic The Tribune, without the benefit of reviewing that neither should the profits of US WEST DEX. read all of the testimony or affidavits of the 19 witnesses whose testimony supports US WEST’scase, I testimony, has concluded that “[w]ith few exceptions, the rate request seems insupportable.” Simplefairness requires that before such a sweep- ing conclusion is reached, the facts should be carefully weighed. Indeed, The Tribune should follow the advice it gave to the PSC: to thoroughly review US WEST’s request. The conclusion with regard to the Yellow Pages subsidy is a case in point. The Tribune erroneously concludes, withoutany factualbasis, that US WEST “will always have an advantage in selling phone directories because it owns the network.” This conclusion is just plain wrong. Theprice of telephone service should be based on the cost of providing telephone service, and not on “phantom” revenues from a separate company. Wecannotafford historical monopely-based policies that will not work in a new environment. Trying to would harm both the telephoneinfrastructure we all rely on and customers {including residential cus- tomers) expecting benefits from fair competition. First, the telephone company doesnot “‘sell” directories — the directories are provided free to customers by US WEST DEX (formerly US WEST Di- rect). Second, US WEST DEX produces the Ted Smith is vice-president-Utah of US WEST Communications. vious morals from thistale is stu- impossible to invent a program to pefying. Personally, the whole thing can changeit now. The only wayto fix be neatly summed up by “Do whut?” Right now, the state’s problem is tryingto figure out(a) howserious the problem is and (b) who shouldfix it. As we might expect of our fellow citizens, many people already have seized upon this lemon and are making lemon- it is to open every single computer and reprogram every single cal- endar chip individually — the computer equivalent of going in there with a screwdriver, whichis incredibly expensive. Estimates range from $300 billion to $600 billion worldwide to fix the problem. Ooops. 4Katty Mothers Duy! #xom DESERET BOOK Meeiaifs)Cee OnAgOfficeFurniture A LDS Women's TREASURY: INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATION FOR TODAY'S WOMAN. Features a wealth of talks and articles, poems and book excerpts all focusing on the joys, blessings, and challenges of $20 instant Rebate!* being a woman. Authors include Ardeth G. Kapp, Elaine Jack, Majorie P. Hinckley, Anne y 7 After Rebate r Alter Rebate Fournier L-Shaped ole andblack finish m se ater5/4/97. Sea store for details thru CLOTHED WITH CHARITY. A compilation of talks and poems given at the 1996 Women's Conference at BYU. 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Without naming names, there is a widespread suspicion that some of these folks may be overcharging. Envision your basic West Texas legislator confronted with the gladsome tidings that the first thing we haveto do is hire some consultant who charges $1,000 a also a bunch of West Texans who haven't approved of any techno- ning story these days is the Year 2000 Problem.Thisis the wonder- fixing your Year 2000 Problem for a modest arm-and-a-leg are day. Next, watch Rep. GE. “Buddy” West of Odessa dealing with the concept of paying $1 million for a 30-day study of the problem, there are many people in West Texas who are cosmopolitan, so- CREATORS SYNDICATE de. Companies in the business of { 4 |