Network Neutrality Supporters
Some supporters of network neutrality are asking Congress to codify principles of Internet freedom articulated by former FCC Chairman Michael Powell in 2004. (pdf)
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA): "This bill ought to embrace open networks, competition in all markets, and a broadband vision which benefits everyone in the country. Instead, it does the opposite. In short, it favors the communications Colossi at the expense of the public interest. For those fighting for a broadband vision for America which is inclusive, innovative, and openly competitive, this bill represents a giant step backwards."
Amazon.com, eBay, Google, InterActiveCorp, Microsoft and Yahoo!: "We are extremely concerned that legislation before your committee would fail to protect the Internet from discrimination and would deny consumers unfettered access to the tremendous scope of content, applications and services that are available today on the Internet and will be developed in the future."
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[E]nsuring that consumers can obtain and use the content, applications and devices
they want – is critical to unlocking the vast potential of the broadband Internet...
Freedom to Access Content. First, consumers should have access to their choice of legal content...
Freedom to Use Applications. Second, consumers should be able to run applications of their choice...
Freedom to Attach Personal Devices. Third, consumers should be permitted to attach any devices they choose to the connection in their homes...
Freedom to Obtain Service Plan Information. Fourth, consumers should receive meaningful information regarding their service plans.
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA): "This bill ought to embrace open networks, competition in all markets, and a broadband vision which benefits everyone in the country. Instead, it does the opposite. In short, it favors the communications Colossi at the expense of the public interest. For those fighting for a broadband vision for America which is inclusive, innovative, and openly competitive, this bill represents a giant step backwards."
Amazon.com, eBay, Google, InterActiveCorp, Microsoft and Yahoo!: "We are extremely concerned that legislation before your committee would fail to protect the Internet from discrimination and would deny consumers unfettered access to the tremendous scope of content, applications and services that are available today on the Internet and will be developed in the future."
Network Discrimination
Those supporting network discrimination do so in an effort to treat new (digital) media like the tangible, rival goods sold by your neighborhood grocer.
The Heartland Institute argues that competition will save the day -- will prevent ISPs from blocking competitor content. "There are plenty of access providers" and, besides, today's network isn't a "public resource" like the old telephone network.
However, cable companies and telecos currently have 98 percent of the broadband market. Projections are that 62 percent of US homes will have broadband by 2010 - most of those homes probably will not have a choice between cable or DSL. Most of the rest of the world gets its broadband access via DSL; most Americans and Canadians, via cable.
Libertarians oppose regulation. Period. End of story. The market rules. No problemo.
Public Statements
Ed Whitacre, CEO of recently merged SBC and AT&T: "There's going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they're using. Why should they be allowed to use my pipes? The Internet can't be free in that sense, because we and the cable companies have made an investment and for a Google or Yahoo! or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes [for] free is nuts!"
The Heartland Institute argues that competition will save the day -- will prevent ISPs from blocking competitor content. "There are plenty of access providers" and, besides, today's network isn't a "public resource" like the old telephone network.
However, cable companies and telecos currently have 98 percent of the broadband market. Projections are that 62 percent of US homes will have broadband by 2010 - most of those homes probably will not have a choice between cable or DSL. Most of the rest of the world gets its broadband access via DSL; most Americans and Canadians, via cable.
Libertarians oppose regulation. Period. End of story. The market rules. No problemo.
Public Statements
Ed Whitacre, CEO of recently merged SBC and AT&T: "There's going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they're using. Why should they be allowed to use my pipes? The Internet can't be free in that sense, because we and the cable companies have made an investment and for a Google or Yahoo! or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes [for] free is nuts!"