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Google Fires Off Warning to US Telcos

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the you-wouldn't-like-google-when-it's-angry dept.

mytrip writes "The US Senate Commerce Committee last week approved reforms in communications legislation that will make it easier for Internet providers to offer IP-based television. The resultant perceived threat of telecommunications companies muscling in on the Web has stirred search giant Google into firing off warnings. A spokesman said it would not hesitate to file anti-trust complaints if Internet-providing telcos abuse powers that could come from U.S. legislators in further reforms - some of which, Google argues, could threaten 'Net Neutrality'.

2 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. More competition is a good thing by mrxak · · Score: 0, Troll

    The cable companies have had almost no competition for a long time now. Making it easier for telcos to get into TV and bring us IPTV is a good thing for consumers.

    Net neutrality will work itself out on its own without regulation. It has been for years now. Let it be.

    --
    -mrxak
    Onions Will Kill You
  2. Google Doesn't Come To My House After A Storm by chromozone · · Score: 1, Troll

    When a massive hurricane causes thousands of dollars in damage to lines it's not Google that's coming to fix them. Yet this same Google(and Yahoo,Skype MSN etc.)wants to offer "free" phone calls over Telcos networks without any "commercial" rate for pricing. It's hardly fair that a Google can use a Telco network to take Telco business away and then scream "net neutrality" if Telcos seek a higher rate for web giants making looking to make millions without the overhead faced by networks.

    I once a "Net Neutality" enthusiast but the more I learn about it the more it "un-neutral" it seems. Kudos to Google and Vin Serf for getting some people to think supporting Net Neutrality is good for the "little guy". To me its just looking more as a way for big Web companies to make money off the network maintainers backs.

    Oh I know the Googles etc pay their use fees but they dont pay a commercial rate like most Telcos and power cos get to charge. Just because people pay rent on an apartment doesn't the renter can turn around and sublet the same apartment in a manner that's harmful to original renter. I can't rent a one bedroom apartment then rent it out to a dozen other people. This net neutrality just seems like a way of keeping a lopsided arrangement unfairly beneficial for the Googles.

    I would add that Telco services also have a lot of taxes built in to their services that the Googles dont have yet. Governments have their hands pretty deep in Telco pockets. It's unrealistic to think governments and Telcos will just "back-off" for the sake neutrality and let the Googles make millions by providing Telco services without the overhead liabilities.

    This Net Neutrality looks pretty lopsided to me. As much as I despise Telcos I can see their points.