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January 23, 2006
Un-levelling the Internet playing field?
The principle of "network neutrality", on which the Internet has been built, looks like being endangered by the discovery of US telcos that they might make an awful lot of money by playing favourites - and giving online sites that are prepared to pay, priority over their competitors.
That might mean that you'd have to wait a lot longer to access a service that didn't cough up ... with presumably dramatic effects on the unfortunate tortoises.
"The telecommunications companies' proposals have the potential, within just a few years, to alter the flow of commerce and information - and your personal experience --on the Internet," reports the Washington Post, pointing out that public interest groups, including the Consumer Federation and Consumers Union, have been lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to write the concept called "network neutrality" into law and regulation.
You can see how the prospect of fees for speed might appeal to Telstra. We wonder whether anyone here has been talking to our Communications Minister, Coonan the Barbarian, about enshrining the principle of network neutrality in law.
Posted by cw at January 23, 2006 02:59 PM
Comments
Do you think she has any more grasp of terms like "network neutrality" than her predecessor?
I used to wonder whether Alston was really that thick or whether he was really very clever and just putting on an amazing act.
Posted by: Stuart at January 23, 2006 05:07 PM
Ahh, you've just got to love telcos - they're right up there in my estimations with banks and loan sharks.
Let's hope the politicians come through for us on this one.
Posted by: Rob at January 23, 2006 06:31 PM
If I get in my vehicle[computer] and head down the highway[ISP] and the owner of that highway[telstra] will not let me get to my destination[content provider] I will purchase a 4WD and go cross-country.
Posted by: Stephen at January 24, 2006 04:21 PM