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Google and Verizon In Talks To Prioritize Traffic (Updated)

Posted by samzenpus on from the preferred-traffic dept.

Nrbelex writes "Google and Verizon are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege. Any agreement between Verizon and Google could also upend the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission to assert its authority over broadband service, which was severely restricted by a federal appeals court decision in April. People close to the negotiations who were not authorized to speak publicly about them said an agreement could be reached as soon as next week. If completed, Google, whose Android operating system powers many Verizon wireless phones, would agree not to challenge Verizon's ability to manage its broadband Internet network as it pleased." Update: 08/05 20:03 GMT by T : nr3a1 writes with this informative update excerpted from Engadget: "Google's Public Policy Twitter account just belted out a denial of these claims, straight-up saying that the New York Times 'is wrong.' Here's the full tweet, which certainly makes us feel a bit more at ease. For now. '@NYTimes is wrong. We've not had any convos with VZN about paying for carriage of our traffic. We remain committed to an open internet.' Verizon's now also issued a statement and, like Google, it's denying the claims in the original New York Times report."

5 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. Point of view is wrong by Pop69 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You aren't speeding some traffic up, you're slowing the rest down.

  2. Re:Get ready to Bend over America by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, the internet was pretty cool while it lasted.

    Is there anything excessive greed can't ruin?

  3. Re:Get ready to Bend over America by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Google do not make all the worlds rules. One thing they are good at is adapting to them and trying to make the best out of bad situations. Google had hoped for legislation forbidding deals like these but when the politicians dont dare, google adapts.

    Google has enough market power to effectively set the rules.

    If Google said "We will no longer serve any Google content to any ISP which violates Net Neutrality", the debate would basically be over. You wouldn't even need any government regulation.

  4. Re:Get ready to Bend over America by bgarcia · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Verizon won't discriminate between Hulu and Netflix or Amazon video downloads. They'll all download at the same rate - so slow as to be unusable, or at least so slow as to make Verizon's pay per view an attractive alternative, because Verizon sells video downloads and will have that incentive.

    The agreement means that Verizon won't be able to give their own video downloads an advantage like you describe.

    "we will do whatever makes us the most money regardless of the damage it causes."

    In what way do you believe that your scenario (giving Verizon PPV an advantage over other video services like YouTube) helps Google make more money?

    Very poorly thought-out troll. No cookie for you.

    --
    I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
  5. Re:Get ready to Bend over America by pha3r0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wait we have 10 major ISP's? Hold the phone. If we did we might actually have competitive broadband and make this whole 'net neutrality' issue moot.