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Telcos Propose 2-Tier Internet

Posted by Zonk on from the internets-plural dept.

cshirky writes "Boston.com is reporting that 'AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp. are lobbying Capitol Hill for the right to create a two-tiered Internet, where the telecom carriers' own Internet services would be transmitted faster and more efficiently than those of their competitors.' The telcos basic fear, of course, is that the end to end design of the net (PDF version) will erode the telcos ability to use service charges to generate revenue for delivering video and voice; the proposed solution is to break end-to-end in order to protect pricing leverage over the users." We reported on this at the beginning of the month, when it was just speculation. Not any more.

7 of 414 comments (clear)

  1. AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 2, Funny

    Google is fighting the proposal, along with other large Internet companies including Amazon.com Inc. and eBay Inc. They fear they may have to pay telecoms millions of dollars to gain access to customers who use the premium Internet services. In addition, they argue, many small Internet start-ups would be unable to pay the fees, which could reduce consumer choice.

    Ma' Bell strikes back!

  2. What a mess by VaderPi · · Score: 3, Funny

    This has the potential to turn the Internet into a huge mess, especially as the telecoms continue to consolidate. I hope that Congress is not going to implement this. At least we have Google, Amazon, Ebay and Microsoft sticking up for us, because we all know that their interests are much more pure.

  3. Don't worry! by Darth+Maul · · Score: 5, Funny

    "AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp. are lobbying Capitol Hill..." ...But our politicians are elected to best represent the needs of their constituents (and we all voted, right?), so everything will work out just fine in the best interest of the individual citizen.

    Whew. That was a close one.

    --
    --- witty signature
  4. Re:Wait... by bcattwoo · · Score: 5, Funny
    Will anyone actually go for this?

    You must be new to the real world where enough lobbying and campaign contributions can buy just about anything.

  5. That's it! by temojen · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm making my own internet!

    I've got a spare linksys and two pringles cans; who's with me?

  6. Better Internet by neildiamond · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this mean if I want a better Internet, I now really will have to go to AOL? NOOOOOOO!

  7. Re:This leads directly to fraud (hear me out) by Urusai · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's only fraud if Congress hasn't been paid enough.