Communication--Bridges and Barriers

Benjamin Franklin advocated a standard fee for postal service regardless of the distance involved.  The fee was for delivery, not transport.

In the past, telephone companies charged high fees to recover costs for undersea cable and satellites.  Today telecommunications is much more affordable and may more closely resemble the postal delivery concepts advocated by Benjamin Franklin.

U.S. Cellular offers free incoming wireless calls in the USA.  Most cellular services outside the USA offer free incoming wireless calls.  A friend who is positively addicted to his iPhone found out that AT&T charges US$2.50 per minute for wireless use (data or voice) from the Caribbean.  He sent a note on Facebook.com that he would be "out of touch" on his 10-day cruise.

MagicJack.com and many other Internet-based telephone service providers provide easy access for local and international calling and greatly reduced fees.  Skype (developed by eBay) now offers a free collaborative service that is similar to that provided by paid Webinar providers.

Free e-mail has had a significant impact on the United States Postal Service.  The Internet is a great bridge to communication, allowing people to connect all over the world.  Some of the fees charged by telephone and telecommunications companies are a barrier to this communication.

Most of us like staying connected.  We need to influence a lowering of fees and barriers to this connected communication.