Tag: net+neutrality

The war between large telecom corporation interest and society interests continues. Battles are joined on a wide front, principally in the states where the commercial and society interests are most salient.
The week opened with a set back House rejects Net neutrality rules . But the effort on public interests behalf is widening. Google, MSN, Yahoo and now eBay are but a few of the players who have joined the fight.
As the final House vote earlier this week drew closer, lobbyists and CEOs from both sides began stepping up the pressure. eBay CEO Meg Whitman e-mailed more than a million members, urging them to support the concept, and Google CEO Eric Schmidt on Wednesday called on his company’s users to follow suit.
The fight continues however. Net neutrality’s crowded field

Bill number Lead sponsor(s) What it proposes Status
S.2360 Wyden (D) No two-tier Internet Still in Senate committee
S.2917 Snowe (R) and Dorgan (D) No two-tier Internet Just introduced
HR5417 Sensenbrenner (R) and Conyers (D) Antitrust extended to Net neutrality Awaiting House floor vote
HR5273 Markey (D) No two-tier Internet Still in House committee *
HR5252 Barton (R) and Rush (D) FCC can police complaints Net neutrality rejected
S.2686 Stevens (R) and Inouye (D) FCC will do a study Senate committee vote expected in June
Source: CNET News.com research

While the initial debate was on whether broadband providers could block certain Web sites, it has moved on to whether they should be permitted to create a “fast lane” that could be reserved for video or other specialized content. But as Google’s Brin stated, there can’t be a fast lane without a slow lane.
Debate will no doubt rage on evolving issues.

Net neutrality effect on online media startups is being overlooked. In Susan Crawford’s latest analysis on Explaining net neutrality, she argues that net neutrality will be better for society as a whole. The issue is more critical because it impacts on the seed bed of economic growth; startups, company creation and entrepreneurs.
Small company creation is the biggest contributor of economic growth. Additional telecom fees impact small startups most, and will be a real growth killer for media and technology startups. Net neutrality has a direct impact on this most delicate and important part of society.

In Tim’s words

The Internet is increasingly becoming the dominant medium binding us. The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. It is the basis of science, by which humankind should decide what is true.
Neutrality of the Net | Decentralized Information Group (DIG) Breadcrumbs

Tim identifies addresses the difficulty of design legislation as a worthy undertaking, and cites France with its separation between IP providers and business in other layers as a good example for the US.