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BLOG: Abel Harding: The issues behind 'net neutrality' [The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville](Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 15--Two national companies with a significant presence in Jacksonville are at the center of the debate on net neutrality. Comcast and AT&T, both of which employ hundreds in the region and offer telecommunications services to thousands more, have come out strongly against new rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission that they claim would limit their ability to effectively manage Internet bandwidth. Net neutrality is complicated and something most Americans still have no understanding of, despite the recent attention "news" celebrities such as Glenn Beck and Jon Stewart have devoted to it. Net neutrality is a battle between two industry segments: telecommunication giants and Internet application companies, such as Facebook and Skype. It's about unlimited bandwidth, not politics or free speech. To begin to understand the concept of net neutrality, any explanation by politicians must immediately be discounted. Their positions, not surprisingly, closely resemble their political donations. Nowhere is this more evident than in Sen. John McCain's proposed "Internet Freedom Act of 2009," which would undermine the proposed FCC rules. McCain, R-Ariz., according to the Center for Responsive Politics, has been the largest recipient of campaign contributions from the telecommunications industry. Net neutrality isn't a "fairness doctrine for the Internet" as politicians such as Rep. Martha Blackburn, R-Tenn., have argued. There are no rules that would force "equal time" of opposing issues on blogs or news sites. Internet service providers argue they should be able to slow down traffic during peak times from users who are using excessive bandwidth, which such applications as peer-to-peer file sharing and live video streams demand. Many envision a model where companies that offered applications that utilized high bandwidth could pay ISPs to ensure their end user receives the content at optimal speeds. The new rules proposed by the FCC would allow "reasonable network management," so long as the companies disclosed their activities. The rules allow the FCC control over determining what technologies and content can be slowed, something that ISPs see as unnecessary government interference. There are solid arguments on both sides. Smaller companies without hefty wallets to pay for speedy delivery are concerned they'll be unable to compete. On the other hand, ISPs air valid concerns when they express wariness of regulations for undeveloped technologies. Past disputes over restrictions placed by ISPs have been resolved either through existing FCC regulations or a policy change as a result of public outcry. Without a demonstrated need for new regulations, it's presumptive of the FCC to feel the need to place limitations on the industry that could discourage new development. The FCC has asked for feedback. Visit www.openinternet.gov. To see more of The Florida Times-Union or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.jacksonville.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |