Net Neutrality Bill in Congress

hip2b2 writes "The US Congress is finally doing something to prevent large bandwidth providers and network operators from charging (or putting restrictions on) competing web and other Internet media content providers. According to this NetworkWorld article, the new bill sponsored by Democratic Representatives Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jay Inslee of Washington state, Anna Eshoo of California and Rick Boucher of Virginia in the House and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon in the Senate. I am not a big fan of legislation, but, I hope this bill keeps the Internet a freer place." Here is our coverage of the first round.

Comments

Network "neutrality" is bad

[The Only Druid]

It's astonishing how many people are just automatically assuming that network neutrality is good. Considering no such neutrality is imposed on wireless telephony, cable or DBS, why is it necessary here?

Christopher Yoo, a Vanderbilt Law professor (whom I met in his capacity visiting here at Penn Law this semester) has written repeatedly on the fact that what we actually want is network diversity.

Why would it be bad to have competition in the type of service provided? Why would it be bad to be able to prioritize types of network traffic? Why would it be bad to have competitive internets where different networks interconnected out of market pressure instead of FCC or Congressional regulation?

It seems that most people just respond automatically without considering the actual costs and benefits to so-called network neutrality.

Most legislation is bad. Unintended consequences

[HornWumpus]

The government consistantly shoots itself in the foot.

Once that is done they pass additional laws (to shoot the other foot for equality).

Name a private Ponzi scheam that lasted for 70 years and is about to pop to the tune of billions? I can name a US government one. Can you? Other western governments have exactly the same problem, so it's clearly a problem with government in general.

How about the smaller handgun marketing act (they said it was about the number of rounds in the clip).

Or the poor folks family breakup act (called the great society when it was passed).