Comments on: Genachowski Widens the Net Neutrality Loophole

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:17:40 +0000

Just think about how much faster the internet would be if there were no Flash animated ads, I mean who is really using that bandwidth?

It is the same as cable though, pay for cable and they still send commercials down the wire.

Some day users will be able to control the bandwidth they use, after all that is why we use the internet and not watch TV.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:17:40 +0000

By: mwendy

mwendy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:23:01 +0000

“Computer II” used the FCC's “ancillary” jurisdiction to impose non-discriminatory access requirements on ILECs for those seeking to provide enhanced services (now called information services in the '96 Act) – pursuant to tariffs under common carrier regulation (Title II). So, at least there was some compensation for their (ILEC) facilities (in then, a monopoly environment).

The present NPRM does none of this – in an environment that is competitive, legally and in fact. It says that, subject to reasonable network management and other limited special arrangements, content, app and service providers shall not see discrimination (i.e., be charged more) for their offerings. In other words, they get to free-ride off of the value of that last mile where their offerings get terminated. The end-user must pick up the charge. According to the NPRM, this value can't be “tariffed” to the content providers by the facilities-based (last mile) provider. No compensation – other than through subscription fees – allowed in this otherwise two-sided market.

If the Chairman is leaving open the possibility that two-sided (or other) business models may be desirable, especially in light of network congestion (if not core innovation), then that certainly represents positive movement.

By: jinkhet

jinkhet — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:06:58 +0000

I'd really like to see the Feds decouple regional lock-in for ISPs. For example, Verizon has been trying to bring FIOS to Seattle for a while, but are blocked by an exclusivity agreement [ http://bit.ly/6wRNFT ] even though FIOS wouldn't have to use the lines Comcast installed.

If we consumers had real choice in a functioning market, net neutrality would be largely unnecessary and government would be needed primarily as a watchdog for collusion, bundling, etc.

By: drewt333

drewt333 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:30:52 +0000

Sounds like a step forward.