>Their words let it sound like they mean the internet in general, but the things that they are describing suggest most strongly that MS will be in control of it all. When it comes about they will be able to say they lied to no one with conviction and be truthful in saying so. But they will also be able to say that they surely did not hide this from anyone, and that it was all there for anyone to see right from the beginning.

I tend to agree with you; though if and when MS succeeds, this will only isolate the States even more from the rest of the world. As the world becomes more aware of this creeping pestilence, I'm sure that they will effectively "nationalize" their communications infrastructures and start filtering out packets in the interests of national security and the common good (and I'll vote for that).

There may still be some people who will sit in their attic using a "wireless" to listen to "MS E-Broadcasts", but that will be the extent of it.