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Save the Internet
By JLP | April 28, 2006
It really bugs me that I’m on the same side of an issue as Moveon.org. There’s a big push by companies like AT&T, Verizon, and even Comcast to change the way the internet works by forcing certain web content providers to pay higher fees in order to insure that their content gets delivered in the best way. Go to Save the Internet to find out more.
What I’m wondering is what the heck have I been paying for the internet for? I pay $60 per month for high-speed internet access. I thought I was paying this for HIGH SPEED! Why should the companies be able to turn around and charge content providers too? I don’t get it.
Topics: Miscellaneous | 7 Comments »
April 28th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Well, there are some which say that big oil controls oil prices (mostly poppycock, though big oil does control refining and distribution). Yet there are others, who typically disagree with the first bunch, but which then go on to say that big media controls the production and distribution of news (less true then it was 5 years ago, but certainly some truth to it). Then there is big pharma …, and the list goes on.
So, are we seeing the rise of “big net?” And is there some balance to this story? What does “big net” have to say in its defense? But wait, this is “the big net pipe,” rather then “big net.” Because companies like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and others lined up on the other side, according to this website. I dunno, I’m just weary of jumping on a bandwagon until I have a chance to digest the big picture.
April 28th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Why does it bother you that you agree on something with Moveon.org? I’m sure you two agree on many things, I’m a Democrat and I’m sure we agree on things.
haha
Yeah, this has been a little problem brewing for a while now. It is disturbing. I don’t see why they think it’s ok to double-dip like that. It’ll be interesting to see if someday down the line this goes to the Supreme Court.
Some companies are also trying to axe free wi-fi.
April 28th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Tim,
Maybe I should have said that it feels weird to be on the same side of an issue with Moveon.org.
April 28th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
I saw another take on this story (sorry, closed the browser window, so no link), but it appears that the other side of the story is something like: Before Comcast et al decide to make big improvements in their infrastructure, they want to be sure that they can charge premium prices for “premium” content. But it also looks to me like Congress could have definitely done a better job putting safeguards against some of the “worst case scenarios” the activists are talking about.
April 28th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
If there is genuine competition for broadband internet, then this should be a non-issue. We should all cheer efforts to develop and deploy broadband over power lines, wi fi, wimax, etc. to ensure many competitors for our business.
April 28th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I’ve added a link to them on my site. I’m with you on this one…
April 28th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
The problem Sam is all the small ISPs that provide what we see as “competition” are still tied into the big providers that own the major pipes. Some of these companies don’t think it’s fair that someone like Vonage or Google can come along and make fortunes by deploying services across their lines without paying a fee. What they can’t seem to comprehend though, is the fact that they are not providing Google a connection to a customer, but rather the customer a connection to Google, and most pay a pretty penny for their broadband. Without content provideres providing a reason for people to be online, there would be no need for their services. However, they act as though they want to put themselves in a position to basically demand a ransom to traverse their networks.