Er … there’s also the fact that, when not constrained strongly by size, a multipurpose device like a cellphone looks considerably different in shape.

In fact, it’s shaped almost exactly like a PC. Funny, that.

And, CodeMonkeySteve … when my ISP stops blocking internet protocols I want to use, maybe I’ll be convinced there’s enough broadband competition to prevent them from doing ‘something stupid.’ So from where I sit, I’ll be seeing what I can do to get DSL or FIOS penetration into my area …

One point a lot of people seem to miss is that “sufficient competition” doesn’t mean that everyone must have access to at least two telcos, in case one does something bad. All you need is enough options for enough people so that the threat of large numbers of customers leaving will disuade any ISP from doing something stupid (like throttling Google traffic unless you pay more).

From where I sit, we’ve already surpassed that level of broadband adoption, so there’s not much to worry about.

One point a lot of people seem to miss is that “sufficient competition” doesn’t mean that everyone must have access to at least two telcos, in case one does something bad. All you need is enough options for enough people so that the threat of large numbers of customers leaving will disuade any ISP from doing something stupid (like throttling Google traffic unless you pay more).

From where I sit, we’ve already surpassed that level of broadband adoption, so there’s not much to worry about.

“Not too long ago, I was very much on their side. ‘Imagine you make a phone call to a friend,’ I wrote then, ‘but instead of hearing it ring, you get a recording: We’re sorry, but the person you are calling has not paid Verizon to carry his or her conversations.’

But I was wrong.

I did what’s easy to do: I blew things out of proportion and borrowed trouble. As I learn more, I realize that Net neutrality Ã?¢â?‰? at least the way it’s being touted today Ã?¢â?‰? is a bad idea.”

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2006-06-15-net-neutrality-revisited_x.htm

“Not too long ago, I was very much on their side. ‘Imagine you make a phone call to a friend,’ I wrote then, ‘but instead of hearing it ring, you get a recording: We’re sorry, but the person you are calling has not paid Verizon to carry his or her conversations.’

But I was wrong.

I did what’s easy to do: I blew things out of proportion and borrowed trouble. As I learn more, I realize that Net neutrality Ã?¢â?‰? at least the way it’s being touted today Ã?¢â?‰? is a bad idea.”

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2006-06-15-net-neutrality-revisited_x.htm