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The End of Net Neutrality?

Chris Kaplan
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Last week Reality Sandwich reported on a new deal in the works between Verizon and Google, which essentially aims to end Net Neutrality as we know it. Unfortunately, that is only half of the story, and apparently, it gets worse.

Under the new Verizon/Google proposal, these corporations are calling for a "fake Net Neutrality," where the illusion is fostered, but in actuality the truth is far more oppressive. Their proposal will create two systems of internet: one private, fast and expensive, the other, public, slow and suffocating.

Also under their proposal there will be no Net Neutrality on wireless networks, "meaning anything goes, from blocking websites and applications to pay-for-priority treatment." The standard for "non-discrimination," would be practically non-existent, making blocking such sites like BitTorrent much easier. This deal will also let ISPs like Verizon decide which applications "deserve the best quality of service," threatening to shut off public opinion from the self-generating pool of innovation, creating a stagnant corporate-dictated system. And worst of all, it allows the corporations to make the law in regulating the internet, not the Federal Communications Commission.

When one hears the word "regulation" uttered, it's usually followed by a heart-clenching panic of stricken oppression. But the truth of the matter is, a balance is needed in order to keep a system revolving fairly. This is especially true in the case of the Internet which deals directly with commerce and innovation, a social by-product that has the power to turn serfs into kings. Many feel it is the role of the FCC to step in and prevent a corporate take over of public domain. This is a time when regulation is needed.

You can take action with several organizations to send a message to the FCC to step in and defend the people from corporate oppression: Save The Internet, Color of Change, and MoveOn.

 

Image, "FCC Open Meeting - Broadband Plan" by wiredbike on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing.

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Comments

fusion of spirit and matter

Submitted by Five on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 10:40.
soon....our technology will be Organic and Live.

A new internet

Submitted by kingofeagles on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 01:11.
Since this whole net neutrality issue has surfaced, I was wondering if it was possible to have an internet architecture that was pure peer-to-peer, with no servers and hence, no corporate control. I did some searching and found this: http://netsukuku.freaknet.org/?pag=faq. It's a system whereby a wireless mesh of computers can act essentially just like the internet by allocating a chunk of the routing task to each machine on the network. This would make the network faster with more machines rather than slower as with the current system. Also, it would essentially be a free service, since every machine would be paying its way with CPU cycles. This software is being developed under the GNU license and is open sourced. This is a cool, cool project and I'm trying to raise awareness of this by telling everyone that I know about it. With a fully functioning version of this software working, the people can rebuild the internet to serve our own needs and desires, rather than the further hijacking of our culture by corporate thieves.

unfair

Submitted by johnfaust on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 05:10.
I think this is going to lead into discrimination.