Pro Net Neutrality: Other Voices

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Will the Internet remain neutral?

April 18, 2008 - link >>

Dana Blankenhorn & Paula Rooney, ZDNet

Probably not.

What Net Neutrality advocates forget is what has kept the Internet neutral so far has been market discipline, not government.

Most customers want neutrality, and will “vote with their feet” against those carriers who violate it. Assuming, that is, they have a choice.

There are exceptions. A decade ago I did a story about a “Christian ISP” who was making big bucks censoring his customers’ Net access to keep out pornography. Churches, individuals, and businesses were all avid buyers.

‘Net Pains

March 26, 2008 - link >>

Mary Wilson, Philadelphia City Paper

Several weeks ago, a federal hearing was held at Harvard Law School to address Comcast’s interference with subscriber Internet traffic. Comcast had been accused of “blocking” (or slowing to the point of malfunction) traffic on specific sites and applications, and the hearing was intended to be an open forum for media groups and the public to voice their concerns. Unfortunately, very few voices were heard. When concerned citizens arrived four hours early for the hearing, they found about three dozen unconcerned citizens had beaten them to it. These people had no idea what the hearing was even about. They were there because Comcast had paid them to fill seats — and, ostensibly, to keep public opposition out in the cold.

Google Endorses Markey’s Net Neutrality Bill

February 13, 2008 - link >>

David A. Utter, WebProNews

Economy benefits from that principle

A bipartisan bill to make net neutrality a core tenet of US broadband policy received an introduction to the House of Representatives today.

Google likes the cut of Ed Markey’s and Chip Pickering’s jib. The legislation they brought to the House today provides for freedom for lawful Internet use “without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators.”

Their bill also directs the Federal Communications Commission to “assess competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice issues” regarding broadband services.

How the Grinches Stole ‘Net Neutrality’

December 27, 2007 - link >>

Wayne MacPhail, The Tyee

Until recently, net neutrality was a difficult issue to explain at a dinner party. It was even more of a struggle to get anybody worked up about it. Now, thanks to the major Internet service providers (ISPs) Comcast and Bell-Sympatico, the stakes are crystal clear and the acrid scent of a smoking gun hangs in the room.

Saving Internet freedom - for users - from telcos

December 13, 2007 - link >>

Robin Harris, ZDNet

Mighty Google is worried about getting the shaft from telcos. Shouldn’t you be too?

Larry Downes imagines the worst
Larry Downes’ arguments against net neutrality are button-pushing propaganda designed to inflame, not illuminate. I expect better from a University of Chicago trained lawyer.

In response I’m going to look at the text of a net neutrality proposal and then at Mr. Downes’ mostly irrelevant points. 

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