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New White House Petition For Net Neutrality

Bob9113 (14996) writes "On the heels of yesterday's FCC bombshell, there is a new petition on the White House petition site titled, 'Maintain true net neutrality to protect the freedom of information in the United States.' The body reads: 'True net neutrality means the free exchange of information between people and organizations. Information is key to a society's well being. One of the most effective tactics of an invading military is to inhibit the flow of information in a population; this includes which information is shared and by who. Today we see this war being waged on American citizens. Recently the FCC has moved to redefine "net neutrality" to mean that corporations and organizations can pay to have their information heard, or worse, the message of their competitors silenced. We as a nation must settle for nothing less than complete neutrality in our communication channels. This is not a request, but a demand by the citizens of this nation. No bandwidth modifications of information based on content or its source.'"

248 comments

  1. No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Narcocide · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So say we all.

    1. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Scowler · · Score: 1

      Cool, now you can't stop my DOS attack.

    2. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Narcocide · · Score: 1

      Nor you, mine. Check and mate.

    3. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by OneAhead · · Score: 1

      Nope, if you insist on chess terms, that would be a draw.

    4. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Cool, now you can't stop my DOS attack.

      The joke is on you, I'm running OS/2 Warp.

    5. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 2

      Nope, if you insist on chess terms, that would be a stalemate.

      FTFY

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    6. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't speak for me pls.

    7. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Thanks, Adama.

    8. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by OneAhead · · Score: 4, Funny

      Ha, you fell into my "pedantic nitpicking" trap! I deliberately typed "draw" and not "stalemate" because a stalemate is a specific kind of draw where the player to move has no legal move. "You can't stop my DoS attack - but you cannot stop mine either" is more like a threefold repetition or a fifty-move rule kind of draw, where both parties still can do things, but it's always the same and nobody gets closer to winning.

    9. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by silas_moeckel · · Score: 1

      We stop DOS attacks via filtering and black hole routing. Paying a provider to filter your traffic has nothing to do with neutrality nor does asking them to route all traffic to a specific destination to null.

      If were going to make regulations how about regulating that BCP38 be mandatory.

      --
      No sir I dont like it.
    10. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ha, you fell into my "pedantic nitpicking" trap! I deliberately typed "draw" and not "stalemate" because a stalemate is a specific kind of draw where the player to move has no legal move. "You can't stop my DoS attack - but you cannot stop mine either" is more like a threefold repetition or a fifty-move rule kind of draw, where both parties still can do things, but it's always the same and nobody gets closer to winning.

      Never get involved in a land war in Asia.

    11. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Somehow I can't help but imagine you evilly twirling a handlebar mustache as you wrote that...

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    12. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by auzer · · Score: 1

      The Greater Good!

    13. Re:No source-based bandwidth modifications. by OneAhead · · Score: 1

      What??? How did you break into my webcam? I won't leave it at that! I will notify the FCC, the NSA, the FSB and Microsoft of your misdeeds! Too late to back out now, mister, you should be trembling in your boots! *nervously tugging handlebar mustache*

  2. Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Too bad we failed to elect Obama. Bush is just letting the corporates take everything they want!

    1. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a candidate, Pres. Obama said he would support net neutrality. He has not, and I am disappointed.

      The idea that this makes the other guy look better is laughable. Also, You might be surprised to learn that Pres. Obama never ran against former President Bush(s). Despite that, it is too bad there are only two options. (oh wait...)

    2. Re:Bush by hebertrich · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Basically true when he's at the mercy of the republicans to adopt the stuff that needs to be changed in order to fulfill the job he was elected to do .
      Sucks but it's fundamentally true.
      Republicans are obstructing every step of the way. The institutions are totally fucked when a President can't do the job he's elected for.

    3. Re:Bush by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Thank dog for obstruction. Vote gridlock, it's the best we can do.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:Bush by bobbied · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As a candidate, Pres. Obama said he would support net neutrality. He has not, and I am disappointed.

      I'm disappointed too, but I was pretty sure that he was just saying things to get elected, both times, so I didn't vote for him. I suggest you get used to being disappointed in Obama because it's going to be a problem for a LONG time after he's gone..

      Here comes the modding down and a wreaking of my karma, in three.... two..... One....

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    5. Re:Bush by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 2, Informative

      People STILL believe what he says, even after it is proven that much of what comes out of his mouth is in fact complete untruths. From the beginning it was this way. He is nothing more than a slimy politician who couldn't give a shit about anyone, including his own family (golf or funeral of aunt? GOLF!)

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    6. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      "Republicans are obstructing every step of the way."

      Good fucking grief. Obama is a radical socialist Democrat and has been in office for near six years now. The Democrats have run congress as well for years, including super majorities in the first few years of Obama's term. Democrats are entrenched in the beauracracy, at all levels, they run the IRS, the EPA, the state department, the DOE, all the important TLA's are staffed by Democrats as far as the eye can see.

      Oh and those Repiublicans, yes they do win here and there. And whenever they do they fold and lie down and capitulate like good little soldiers they are. They talk a good talk to we the people when it's election time, but these guys are just happy as clams when it comes to compromise and making deals and working with the other side of the aisle. They are pros you know and they know which side of the gravy train they are supposed to be on.

      Executive check. Congress check. John (It's a tax) Roberts, check. Beauracracy, check. What else? Oh yes, the media. The media are for all intensive purposes just an arm of the Democrat party, and yes that includes FNC. Ever watch Letterman? Media, in pocket, check. Teachers unions, SEIU, AFL, Teamsters, you name it, they run it. Democrats that is. Corporations! You all love to hate your crony capitalist corps now don't you? You think they don't love them some statism when they can get it? Or buy it I should say.

      But yea, the real problem here, the reason Obamacare isn't working, the reason unemployment is so high, the reason food prices and gas prices and everything else is so high is, uh huh, Republicans.

      You sheep just crack me up.

    7. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Do nothing? WTF?

      Dude, haven't you been fucking paying attention to anytihng? 18 fucking trillion dollars.

      http://www.usdebtclock.org/

      They ain't DOING NOTHING. They are spending you and your decendants into slavery and have been doing so nonstop, 24 fucking 7, for generations!

      DO NOTHING? ARE YOU HIGH?

    8. Re:Bush by Daniel_Staal · · Score: 1

      Possibly true - but not on this issue, which is a change in FCC rules, which is part of the Executive branch. Congress might dictate rules to the FCC, but it hasn't on this issue so the change in stance is something Obama can do something about on his own.

      --
      'Sensible' is a curse word.
    9. Re:Bush by tomhath · · Score: 1

      Please explain how Republicans, Congress, your local dogcatcher, or anyone else outside of the Executive Branch is behind this.

    10. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah... if you REALLY want to kill your Karma, you have to say something negative about Bitcoin!

      There are still a lot of Slashdotters who are still fully invested in that pump and dump scheme... and they are PISSED!

    11. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I suggest you get used to being disappointed in Obama because it's going to be a problem for a LONG time after he's gone..

      Here comes the modding down and a wreaking of my karma, in three.... two..... One....

      Since you are now modded +4 Insightful, I don't put a lot of faith in your predictive abilities - including the "LONG time after he's gone" one.

    12. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      What's sad is that people think that all those who denounce him are conservatives. I didn't vote for him in either running. I'm very disappointed with him and I'm as far left as they come. I voted Green in both.

    13. Re:Bush by arbiter1 · · Score: 1

      The base fact here is, he is a Politician. mostly all their statements are technically, but they are carefully worded that way. they all say 1 thing to get your vote once they get it they forget what they said to get you to vote for them. Go watch the south park ep, yea everyone happy for change this change that, in the end NOTHING changed cept how much more debt we have.

    14. Re:Bush by arbiter1 · · Score: 1

      Yea democrat's are moron's, saying its all republicans blocking this blocking that.... Pull your head outta your butt for a while, Democrat's pull same stunt. Both sides play the same game with same rules yet 1 side is whining about it.

    15. Re:Bush by bobbied · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Basically true when he's at the mercy of the republicans to adopt the stuff that needs to be changed in order to fulfill the job he was elected to do . Sucks but it's fundamentally true. Republicans are obstructing every step of the way. The institutions are totally fucked when a President can't do the job he's elected for.

      You seem to forget that his party controlled congress in total for almost TWO full years. He had that long to do anything he wanted.

      The situation changed when Mass elected Brown to replace Ted K after he died. Then they didn't have a super majority in the senate anymore, but still had a majority. It wasn't until the midterms that the Republicans took the house away and could effectively object to ANYTHING. Democrats retain control of the Senate to this day. So, it's not just the Republicans fault. Obama had two full years to do literally anything he and his party wanted, TWO YEARS! What did he accomplish? Obamacare and not a whole lot else.

      But since then, Republicans have run on a platform that opposed Obama's policies, and have generally won elections in the process. Republicans have tried it both ways. They have tried to work with him but Obama has steadfastly refused to discuss anything or work on compromise and he torched them. So republicans are really left with little other choice but to oppose him, and get torched too. But this is Obama's choice in most part, given his scorched earth political tactics and the obstructionist Senate that refuses to take up much of what the house sends them for debate. But that's how politics works and how the system is designed.

      I get that you want to blame the other side and accuse them of being obstructionists. They generally have been, not because that's how they wanted it, but because it didn't matter if they just agreed to anything nor said no, they where going to get torched. But don't fool yourself, Obama and his supporters choosing to use the flamethrower and firebombs leaves little other choice. If you are going to burn anyway, why not keep your base happy in the process? If your base is happy with you, it's easier to raise money and you are less likely to be bloodied in the primaries, so why not?

      The real question is how will this play on election day in 2014 and how all this translates into 2016. I getting the feeling the democrats are going to loose the Senate and loose more seats in the house in 2014. If that happens, you can count on a whole lot more obstruction, unless Obama decides to try and work with the republicans on stuff. (Given his history, I doubt he would work with anybody though) The only difference that will be obvious is that you will see a whole lot more videos of Obama vetoing bills on the nightly news. Up until now, he's been spared that optic by the Senate which simply refuses to take up anything Obama doesn't agree to sign in advance. So to this republican, I don't agree that it is our side being unreasonable given the circumstances. Your mileage may vary as your party affiliation apparently does. Just don't try to tell yourself your side has been pure as the wind driven snow in all this. You all got dirt on your hands too.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    16. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      "Both sides play the same game with same rules"

      Nope.

      Obamacare, 100% Democrat support, 0% Republican support, not same rules, not at all

      Who was it that passed civil rights in the 60s? Democrats? No, it was passed despite them. Wake up.

      I do not give the worthless Republicans a pass at all, but the Democrats are the ones tyrannizing us. Truth be told I believe they, at least at the highest levels, are working together.

    17. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I suggest you stop with this crap. Why do third party candidates have no chance of winning? Because everyone says third party candidates have no chance of winning. As long as people keep thinking like you, and keep spreading this awful idea, nothing will change.

    18. Re:Bush by bobbied · · Score: 1

      Since you are now modded +4 Insightful, I don't put a lot of faith in your predictive abilities - including the "LONG time after he's gone" one.

      Sorry to disappoint and confuse you with a sideways joke... But we all make mistakes from time to time.

      Experience tells me that, like Carter's, Obama's legacy will affect us for generations, and not in a good way. But, I HOPE I'm wrong about that, even if the glimmer of hope is fading as fast as the bomb casing during a nuclear detonation.... ;)

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    19. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      ACA 100% Republican idea used by the democrats. thanks for playing but try again.

      and to further comment they are both the same party just with a different letter pinned to their name, [D] or [R]

    20. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      What a defeatist attitude. The Democrats and Republicans must love you. Apparently all that matters to you is that you voted for the "winner". Who cares that the country is going down the shitter, as long as your guy won.

    21. Re:Bush by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      He just needs to find a libertarian buddy. Then they can both vote their consonance and know they aren't affecting the lessor of two evils contest.

      Purpose being to get to the level where they have to include 3rd parties in debates and fund their campaigns (to the extent public money is available).

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    22. Re:Bush by sjames · · Score: 0

      That was just a great time for America when the Tea party blocked the budget! Just imagine how much greater if we had also defaulted on the debt.

    23. Re:Bush by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Are you suggesting that ether party would be a better choice then gridlock?

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    24. Re:Bush by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      For future reference: In Mass and Minn Republicans are Democrats and Democrats are communists.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    25. Re:Bush by sjames · · Score: 1

      OK, so not my local dogcatcher, but clearly the dogcatcher general has taken the 1st dog hostage and then sent one of those magazine cutout ransom notes: "End net neutrality or the pooch gets it".

      :-)

    26. Re:Bush by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      People STILL believe what he says, even after it is proven that much of what comes out of his mouth is in fact complete untruths. From the beginning it was this way. He is nothing more than a slimy politician who couldn't give a shit about anyone, including his own family (golf or funeral of aunt? GOLF!)

      Are we still talking about Obama at this point, or just generalizing all politicians?

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    27. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I rather suspect the green party is often on the ballet. ;-)

    28. Re:Bush by q4Fry · · Score: 2

      Where did you find an ether party? How do I join?

    29. Re:Bush by treeves · · Score: 1

      it seems like whenever someone says "Here comes the modding down and a wreaking of my karma, in three.... two..... One...." they get modded *up*.
        Anyone else notice that? Maybe it's just confirmation bias on my part, but I don't think so. Well, just in case, I'm prepared to be modded down in three, two, one....

      --
      ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    30. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Explain how the Republicans obstructed him when the Democrats had the super majority in the house and senate?

    31. Re:Bush by pellik · · Score: 1

      As I recall the Green party was never out to win it all. The push had been to get 5% of the vote to get the federal money and inclusion in debates.

    32. Re:Bush by modecx · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This attitude is exactly why we will persist in having such flagrant assholes and abusers of democracy in office. There is precisely one, and only one scenario that it's not good to vote for a third party (supposing that party more correctly aligns with your ideals than the others), even if they're going to lose; rather, especially if they're going to lose.

      And that scenario is this:
      When the lesser of two evils is on the brink of losing to the greater of two evils.
      Whatever the lesser/greater means to you as an individual.

      There. That's it. Pretty damn simple.

      As you pointed out, if you know a major party candidate is going to lose by double digits, it's pointless to vote for that candidate. It's throwing your vote away. However, if you agree with their agenda even a little bit, voting for a third party in that situation sends a message. A message that says people are fed the fuck up with the other two options. It gives mind-share to the third party in general.

      If enough people did that in races where it's going to be no contest, an interesting thing could happen: the two parties might take notice and actually fix something about their politicking (HA HA! Yeah, right), or maybe, just maybe...a third party could become viable enough to be included in debates and start taking a significant chunk of the vote.

      --
      Constitutional rights may be respected, repealed, or modified; but they must never be ignored.
    33. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +5 Insightful, those mods really showed you.

    34. Re:Bush by Daniel_Staal · · Score: 1

      We're an oligarchy. Us poles voting doesn't matter anyway - if it's going to be symbolic, he might as well be symbolic for what he believes.

      --
      'Sensible' is a curse word.
    35. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, like you really cared about debt during the Bush administration even though he started a unnecessary trillion dollar war and cut taxes for the rich to the lowest levels in modern history! Debt is only something you care about when a democrat is president.

    36. Re:Bush by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      All you have to do is wait. Your guys are on the job.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    37. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Here comes the modding down and a wreaking of my karma, in three.... two..... One....

      I love how whenever someone mentions something along the lines of, "Oh, I just put a contrary opinion out there and I am fully prepared for the evisceration of my karma!" they get modded up to +5 something. Go fuck yourself, you turd.

    38. Re:Bush by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I went to an ether party once. It was a gas. At least it wasn't a nether party. (Can you picture? Either some morbid last dance, or something involving another kind of gas. Ick.)

      Wait, this here discussion could be in fact be a nether party, with the FTC supplying the last dance.

      Again, Ick. . Smells like rotten eggs.

    39. Re:Bush by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      When the President does not control congress, progress is slower and that is because of intense lobbying.

      Look at the use of diplomacy. How many americans would have been killed if the president thought like John McLean? Look at the accomplishments. A step to bring Americans out of the dark ages wrt healthcare. A large reduction in unnecessary military expenses, a sharp drop in the deficit. Recall, deficits mean the counry spends more than it's revenues. The interest on the debt is phenomenally high. It will take more waste projects that are no longer r4equired, and it will require tax increases.

      From an outsider view of the USA, it is no longer a country for all. It is a country for the wealthy. The wealthy pay lobbyists to pass legislation to increase the wealth of the rich disproportionately. In part, that is what the president and any future presidents will face.

           

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
    40. Re:Bush by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      The Libertarian Party is much closer to that threshold, but then the Presidential Debate Commission changes the criteria every time the Libertarians get close to meeting the requirements. Calvinball for the win!

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    41. Re:Bush by bobbied · · Score: 1

      it seems like whenever someone says "Here comes the modding down and a wreaking of my karma, in three.... two..... One...." they get modded *up*. Anyone else notice that? Maybe it's just confirmation bias on my part, but I don't think so. Well, just in case, I'm prepared to be modded down in three, two, one....

      (Crickets)

      Interesting... Guess your theory isn't true.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
  3. Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because this time, the Government will listen to a petition of the people posted on a website.

    1. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, this time!

      http://change.gov/agenda/ethic...

              "I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists â" and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president."

              -- Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA
              November 10, 2007

    2. Re:Oh, yes! by Mitreya · · Score: 1

      the Government will listen to a petition of the people posted on a website.

      It will.
      And then they will ask the head of FCC to explain why his decision is obviously a good thing (just like they have with ban-TSA White House petition).

    3. Re:Oh, yes! by OneAhead · · Score: 2

      To be fair, that is true up until "I won", which is a cynical echo of Bush's infamous "mission accomplished". Obama lost early and lost hard (one of the prime examples being the spectacular defeat of "Obamacare 1.0" in 2009) against the lobbyists, and it is now abundantly clear he doesn't have the power to go against them and they are actively drowning out the voices of the American people. President != dictator (and that's a good thing, even if the president happens to align with one's opinion).

    4. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Because this time, the Government will listen to a petition of the people posted on a website.

      Yes, they always listen. They just never give a fuck.

    5. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The odds of winning the lottery are incredibly small, but enough people play it that they do eventually find a winner.

      Maybe it's the same thing with We The People and Democracy in general.

      Or maybe it's something to do while bored at work.

    6. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They listen when the petition is composed of ammunition.

    7. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We don't live long enough to catch on im'a thinkin'

    8. Re:Oh, yes! by LaughingVulcan · · Score: 2

      Sad that parent was modded Funny and not "Painfully but Ironically True." We the People does nothing for change, it is simply an opiate for those pissed off. If I'm wrong (and I'd like to be,) name one thing that Obama has actually changed because of a petition there.

    9. Re:Oh, yes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, listen then promptly disregard.

  4. Abusrd by AndyMan! · · Score: 0

    That text is absurd. While it may be a figurative war, it is not a literal one.

    1. Re:Abusrd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Just sign it.

    2. Re:Abusrd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's also a flat out lie.

      Recently the FCC has moved to redefine "net neutrality" to mean that corporations and organizations can pay to have their information heard, or worse, the message of their competitors silenced

      The FCC ruling says nothing even vaguely close to that.

    3. Re:Abusrd by Obfuscant · · Score: 2
      And it is absurd because it talks about the FCC saying that voices can be silenced, which it certainly did not say. The NY Times article has the right analogy:

      The rules are also likely to eventually raise prices as the likes of Disney and Netflix pass on to customers whatever they pay for the speedier lanes, which are the digital equivalent of an uncongested car pool lane on a busy freeway.

      Yes, it may cause Disney or Netflix to raise prices to their customers to pay for the Fast Lane they're getting, but it does not block access to other sources of content and silences nothing. Car pool lanes don't keep other cars from using the normal lanes. In fact, the analogy is flawed only because that uncongested carpool lane cannot be used by non-carpool users while the increased border gateway router bandwidth being paid for by Netflix users will be used by other users when it is otherwise unused. The closest the NYT could come to "silencing" is this:

      For example, if a gaming company cannot afford the fast track to players, customers could lose interest and its product could fail.

      Which means that if a gamer gets only the same speed tomorrow that he's getting today he might get bored and go elsewhere. I.e., if there are no Fast Lanes the gamer gets X bandwidth and that's good enough, apparently. Tomorrow with Fast Lanes for other services he gets X and suddenly that's not good enough.

      I appreciate the fact that my costs for service won't be forced up by my having to pay for bandwidth that I'm not asking for, and that the cost for high-bandwidth streaming services will be paid for more by the customers of those services. And if a new "Twitter" requires huge amounts of near-realtime bandwidth on day one then something is very wrong with their concept of operation.

    4. Re:Abusrd by ClownPenis · · Score: 1

      Gamers don't need much bandwidth, they need quick RTT and low (read: no) packet loss. That would be another ideal class of service for a "fast lane".

    5. Re:Abusrd by Narcocide · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, it may cause Disney or Netflix to raise prices to their customers to pay for the Fast Lane they're getting,

      You can go ahead and change "may" to "already did."

      but it does not block access to other sources of content and silences nothing. Car pool lanes don't keep other cars from using the normal lanes

      You obviously don't live in any densely populated enough area (say, Southern California) where there in fact are any car-pool lanes, do you? Where do you think that extra lane came from? The meta-plane of elemental freeway lanes? No, they blocked a regular lane to turn it into a carpool lane and now, one-by-one, they're beginning to systematically charge you extra to use them .

    6. Re:Abusrd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just sign it.

      Offer something that won't get laughed at. Good petitions are diluted by crap like this.

    7. Re:Abusrd by Obfuscant · · Score: 1

      Where do you think that extra lane came from?

      In some places they are built in the existing median, with controls to allow them to be used for "inbound" traffic in the morning and "outbound" traffic in the afternoon. I've apparently been to the big city enough times to have seen such wonders and marvels.

      No, they blocked a regular lane to turn it into a carpool lane

      Ok. So the analogy fails in that the Fast Lane is added bandwidth. But still, nobody is prevented from using the normal lanes and they are still there.

      they're beginning to systematically charge you extra to use them .

      And you can avoid that extra charge by not driving in the carpool lanes. I understand that you're unhappy with the roads in SoCal and I certainly would not choose to live there (traffic being just one of several reasons) but the carpool lane analogy the NYT used was only an analogy, not a congruency. There will be some differences between the two. One being them difference in damage created by a "packet" collision, of course.

    8. Re:Abusrd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lol they wont be adding new high speed lanes, they will convert your regular lanes in to high speed lanes. This will crowd more and more data on to reduced lanes of travel (to stick with the analogy) and cause all of your non prioritized traffic to go slower then shit.

    9. Re:Abusrd by hawguy · · Score: 1

      You obviously don't live in any densely populated enough area (say, Southern California) where there in fact are any car-pool lanes, do you? Where do you think that extra lane came from? The meta-plane of elemental freeway lanes? No, they blocked a regular lane to turn it into a carpool lane and now, one-by-one, they're beginning to systematically charge you extra to use them .

      Actually, CalTrans is not allowed to convert an existing lane to an HOV lane, only "new" lanes can become HOV lanes:

      http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffa...

      Regular "mixed-flow" lanes are never converted to HOV lanes. Rather, HOV lanes are always added to existing facilities.

    10. Re:Abusrd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's little difference between converting an existing lane and deciding that the new lane you're adding is an HOV lane.

    11. Re:Abusrd by hawguy · · Score: 1

      There's little difference between converting an existing lane and deciding that the new lane you're adding is an HOV lane.

      It seems that the difference is that it's *not* the same as "they blocked a regular lane to turn it into a carpool lane" as the grandparent poster was claiming.

    12. Re:Abusrd by dislikes_corruption · · Score: 1

      I also did a petition with some different wording: here. I don't get why he's bringing up the military either, but the petition objective is still good. There's no reason why you can't sign both.

  5. Good Timing by jtw78 · · Score: 1

    I had just searched this out and signed it based on the FCC news. Good to see that my mind and the hive mind are linked.

  6. QoS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    What about QoS for VOIP?

    1. Re:QoS by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      QoS if fascist. Didn't you read the OP?

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    2. Re:QoS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      QoS is paying your carrier to throw away someone else's traffic (who is also paying your carrier, btw).

      The thing I don't get is that the SP's are saying they aren't getting compensated for the data, yet they are. I pay them for the bandwidth I consume. It should not matter to them who it's coming from, it costs them the same if they are carrying a bit to me no mater where that bit originated (unless it was an internal bit, but that's another point).

      Furthermore, the sender is also paying, or getting free peering from the carrier because of the value they bring to the network. So the sender is paying someone, that someone has a business arrangement with my SP to exchange traffic, and I pay my SP to consume that traffic. I don't get where they aren't getting compensated for this. The fact that they've made stupid decisions in how they've architected their networks, and are now paying for that lack of foresight is an internal mater, and one that I (or anyone else, other than their owners - the shareholders) shouldn't have subsidize them out of. To paraphrase, piss-poor planning on your part, should not constitute a financial debt on my (or my correspondents') part.

    3. Re:QoS by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Butthurt that your ISP disconnected 'your' zombies? You realize they weren't yours anymore?

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:QoS by sjames · · Score: 1

      It COULD be done fairly, but they don't want that. By fairly, I mean they set up fair queueing with a reasonable commit for each customer, then allow the customer to apply QOS tags to decide how to prioritize their own traffic within the commit. Naturally, they should allow borrowing between customers and make sure the commit is enough to support VOIP.

  7. Crying about the Oligarchy by mfh · · Score: 0

    Oligarchies don't have to listen to anyone, sadly. Everyone needs to learn how to do everything for ourselves or we'll become extinct when all the resources run out. (sooner than you think)

    We'll all have to learn how to adapt to space without governments if we are to survive as people. If you were to set a course for a distant nebula, nobody could catch you as long as you kept your heading.

    But that kind of travel is very far off. One breakthrough could trigger a chain reaction... a singularity.

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  8. WTF is this going to accomplish?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    Obama ran on a policy of net neutrality support and staffed the FCC board with members with the intent of establishing net neutrality.

    Now the FCC (which the Obama administration controls) is doing a 180.

    Is this being done because Obama and the DNC doesn't want it or because Comcast is throwing money around?

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/re...

    http://thehill.com/blogs/hilli...

    1. Re:WTF is this going to accomplish?! by geminidomino · · Score: 1

      Is this being done because Obama and the DNC doesn't want it or because Comcast is throwing money around?

      I suspect that the latter directly impacts the former.

  9. Why do you feel these petitions are relevant? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Serious question. These petitions are clearly not only completely absent any actual legal or procedural relevance; they are routinely ignored by the white house, often complete with redicule and mocking, that is if any attention is paid to them whatsoever.

    These things are at best a token 'feel good' nod toward public relations and more realistically, these things are just flat out time wasters for all involved.

    So why is so much attention paid to them?

    Isn't it better to use your time and money towards things that could result in some real policy or legislative changes in government, such as supporting or working to defeat politicians, supporitng lobbying efforts, or other more traditional methods of interacting with the state?

    Oh and by the way, president Obama has made his 'transparency' campaign lie completely 'transparent' by now, you all should know that he will follow through on no promise that he doesn't already want to act on (which is most of them) and in the end is happy to lie right to the face of the voter and then go off into a back room and do exactly the opposite of what he states he will do, towards whatever end he pleases. So given that (Gitmo? allowing bills to be reviewed before signing them? eliminating lobbyists from the white house etc.) why would you guys spend any effort at all in trying to influence his decicions or actions? You *know* they could not possibly care less what you proles think.

    Real question; what are you guys thinking here? No one cares!

    1. Re:Why do you feel these petitions are relevant? by FuzzNugget · · Score: 0

      Because they're like a blonde with daddy issues who's had one too many: easy.

    2. Re:Why do you feel these petitions are relevant? by meta-monkey · · Score: 2

      Real question; what are you guys thinking here? No one cares!

      Because it forces them to explicitly state that they don't give a fuck. We don't expect them to change. We expect them to give us ammo.

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    3. Re:Why do you feel these petitions are relevant? by Bob9113 · · Score: 2

      Serious question. These petitions are clearly not only completely absent any actual legal or procedural relevance; they are routinely ignored by the white house, ... So why is so much attention paid to them?

      Because if they do work, great. If they do not, they are a way of documenting the fact that the government is not listening. The first step on the road to real reform is documenting the betrayal of will of the people.

      Isn't it better to use your time and money towards things that could result in some real policy or legislative changes in government

      They're not mutually exclusive. Putting up these petitions, voting for them, and promoting them to others takes very little effort, the cost to competing demands for my resources is almost nonexistent.

      such as supporting or working to defeat politicians, supporitng lobbying efforts, or other more traditional methods of interacting with the state?

      Not sure about you, but to me, those things are equally on the list of "Things that probably no longer work, the value of doing which is largely in documenting the failure of our government."

    4. Re:Why do you feel these petitions are relevant? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, these petitions are documented evidence that the government is not listening to citizens.

  10. Network Neutrality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The petition could be written on expensive parchment and soaked in Chanel #5 as people bow and scrape hope for the best, and it will still never fly!

    The white spaces rules only allow 40 MILLIwatts (Gee thanks Barry Bubba!) and the FCC and broadcasters act like it's tearing up the Constitution!

    Pump in something like 5 watts, set up your own local IPnetworks (be willing to sacrifice a few cheap and anonymousPC boards carefully hidden away until they confiscate them, and antennas made of coat hangers etc. they can't get em all); if you beg them to allow communication. they'll turn you down every time while they suck up to the plutocrats.

  11. When they own the information... by MetalliQaZ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...they can bend it all they want.

    Tom Wheeler is a crotchety old sleazebag who has been bought and paid for by Big Telecom. Unfortunately he's probably also foolish enough to think he's doing right by the American public. That's the most dangerous kind.

    RIP Internet

    --
    "Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
  12. The customer always pays by Monoman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We pay for our bandwidth and now the greedy ISPs are wanting to get paid by the content providers (Netflix, Hulu, etc). Do you really think they are going to absorb the additional costs if this continues? Of course not, they will raise their prices.

    ISPs rarely deliver what you pay for so them crying that its the content providers fault is BS. The problem is lack of real competition in the ISP market. Most folks have a choice between cable and DSL. Two isn't enough to be very competitive.

    --
    Keep the Classic Slashdot.
    1. Re:The customer always pays by MetalliQaZ · · Score: 1

      Most people don't even have that choice. As sad as it is, Google Fiber is practically our last light of hope illuminating the shadow cast by ATT, Verizon, and Comcast.

      --
      "Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
    2. Re:The customer always pays by HaeMaker · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but try setting up your own web server on Google Fiber... Net Neutrality is only for the big boys, it seems.

    3. Re:The customer always pays by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      I think your information may be out of date. As long as you're not doing so commercially, you can in fact run a web server on Google Fiber without violating their TOS.

    4. Re:The customer always pays by quarterbuck · · Score: 1

      The effect you describe are correct, but the intermediate steps will be different in my opinion.
      If I follow what you say , Customers pay more, Cable companies become more profitable and internet companies pass on the cost and remain about the same in terms of profitability.
      The situation will probably be worse. All the larger companies (established ones) will be able to pay (And probably not take a serious hit). Any new entrants will find it a barrier. So will any non-US website. So, other than Netflix,Hulu and Amazon, the market will have no movie streaming business. Youtube will be free from tiny competitors. Facebook and Google+ will have no alternatives. There will be one or two streaming music companies (not 10 or 15 as today). As a result, they will be able to charge you monopoly profits. So the actual results will probably be that established internet companies become more profitable, innovative start-ups die, consumers pay more and cable companies collect more. This is a far worse outcome for US innovation than what you describe.
      Actually what surprises me is that Google actually supported net neutrality. Traffic shaping would actually allow them (through these bribes) to kill all competitors. Just pay Comcast a large enough amount and they will gladly throttle anyone else to death.

      --
      http://slashdot.org/submission/1062723/Cheap-mobile-data-plan?art_pos=2
    5. Re:The customer always pays by phorm · · Score: 1

      "Do you really think they are going to absorb the additional costs if this continues? Of course not, they will raise their prices."

      That's the point. Keep in mind that these guys are the same ones that have been making megabucks on cable TV etc, which is now in decline. So instead they'll either f*** up 3rd-party services or collect a danegeld on them in hopes that it'll drive prices up (and people back to cable).

    6. Re:The customer always pays by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      The amount you pay your ISP is based on traditional usage patterns. Someone has to pay for the extra equipment.

      Either the ISP raises their prices or the content providers do, and why should Comcast customers who don't use Netflix pay extra in order to subsidize those that do?

    7. Re:The customer always pays by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Google allows hosting a server on Google Fiber provided it is not for commercial purposes. They updated their terms regarding this some time ago.

    8. Re:The customer always pays by Monoman · · Score: 2

      If they can't provide the bandwidth they advertise then they need to upgrade or change their business/billing model.

      The electric company doesn't charge me more for having inefficient appliances or for using them too much.

      --
      Keep the Classic Slashdot.
    9. Re:The customer always pays by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Huh? Yes, the electric company charges you more if you use more electricity. Or, at least, that's how it works in most of the world.

      As for the ISPs changing their billing model, well, what's your suggestion? Data caps/charges might work (ala electric company) but I assure you they're a pain in the backside. If the content providers and the ISPs can reach a deal which avoids that, I don't think you should be complaining about it.

    10. Re:The customer always pays by Monoman · · Score: 1

      Yes the electric company bills by usage.

      My suggestion to the ISPs is don't false advertise unattainable speeds and "unlimited" service. Advertise/promise what you can deliver without the BS fine print.

      --
      Keep the Classic Slashdot.
    11. Re:The customer always pays by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Well ... the advertised speeds aren't unattainable - they're just not guaranteed in every situation. Unlimited service just means no data caps, so no false advertising there (at least not as concerns this story).

      I'm not sure why you're picking on ISPs in particular, very few industries go into that level of detail outside of the fine print when advertising. Confusing your customers isn't good business ... perhaps the FCC or whoever could mandate something. Perhaps it's possible to come up with a vaguely meaningful measure of average available bandwidth for peak and off-peak time, for example, and mandate that this be included in all advertising. That wouldn't be trivial, though.

    12. Re:The customer always pays by rscaper1070 · · Score: 2

      They were already paid for in the 1996 Telecommunications Act with tax breaks. They took the money but never delivered the infrastructure upgrades that they agreed to. We were promised a faster cheaper internet by 2006 in return for a change in the rules that allowed all these mergers.

    13. Re:The customer always pays by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      It seems rather unlikely that infrastructure upgrades planned for 1996-2006 would have been expected to provide the level of service we now take for granted, never mind the level of service Netflix needs. Do you have figures?

  13. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Comcast, if you're going to post on Slashdot.. at least sign in to your account.

  14. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ad hominem

  15. Whitehouse petitions. Pfft. by Chas · · Score: 1

    Sorry, but just about every one of these I've seen have been coming back from the office of Mr. "YES! YOU CAN!" has been "NO! YOU CAN'T!"

    Online petitions are worth exactly the amount of energy it takes to ignore them completely.

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
  16. Re:Pro Net Freedom by geminidomino · · Score: 1

    That might be more of a valid analogy and less of an obvious shill if the "recipient" of overnight delivery was already paying for it.

  17. A better petition... by MouseTheLuckyDog · · Score: 4, Insightful

    would ask that ISPs be classified as common carriers. Then there could be nothing they can do.

    1. Re:A better petition... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't automatically classify them. Give them the choice between being common carriers and being responsible for what they deliver.

  18. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by MetalliQaZ · · Score: 2

    Nice shill post but your assumptions aren't correct. ISPs can and do support massive streaming to large portions of their customers. They simply want to avoid paying for infrastructure upgrades while at the same time milking both ends of the wire for all the money they can.

    Would you give up Netflix to protect Comcast's bottom line? How about innovators like Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Google? Without Net Neutrality, they wouldn't exist. Go back to using AOL and Compuserve, see how much you like networks with no competition, fool.

    --
    "Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
  19. Why not? by zymano · · Score: 1

    If it brings prices down.

  20. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    again ad hominem

    And I don't get what you mean exactly. Could you expand?

    We are already paying more for letter delivery, via the Post Office monopoly. They have to keep people from competing with them by using force.

    And again I don't get why any dissenting post here is a 'troll'.

  21. The Oligarchy won't let it happen. by XB-70 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The recent Princeton research shows that the U.S. appears to be an oligarchy.

    Let me put this out there: if they don't want net neutrality, mark my words, all the petitions in the world won't make a whit of difference.

    Let's review this topic in two years and see whether I'm right.

    --
    *** Don't be dull.***
    1. Re:The Oligarchy won't let it happen. by Bob9113 · · Score: 2

      Let me put this out there: if they don't want net neutrality, mark my words, all the petitions in the world won't make a whit of difference.

      The purpose of such efforts is a double edged sword: If it works, great. If it does not, it is one more bit of documentation that our government has betrayed the will of The People, and must be reformed.

  22. Sure. by argStyopa · · Score: 1

    One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

    --
    -Styopa
  23. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Gavrielkay · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The trouble is that the ISPs want to promise high speed and unlimited usage but not deliver it. They want to put the blame on the streaming companies. ISPs have gotten away with false promises for years because the content wasn't demanding enough to prove them wrong. Now, rather than raise their own prices or put in caps and limit usage during prime time etc. they want to put the blame on Netflix etc. They make Netflix etc. pay them more money for the same bandwidth they are already charging customers for. Then when Netflix (or whoever) raises their prices to compensate, Netflix takes the blame instead of the ISP. The end user and Netflix (etc) have already paid for bandwidth. The ISP wants to get paid twice because their business model didn't allow for the user actually using the purchased bandwidth.

  24. Comcast lowered bills? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since Comcast is now getting paid by Netflix - have they turned around and cut everyone's bill? Surely, they aren't just pocketing that money.

    1. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      No, they didn't cut prices and they didn't pocket the money - they spent it. You know, on the extra equipment that was needed to improve performance for Netflix customers?

    2. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Have you seen the receipts? I see no evidence that they did anything but change a configuration.

      The ISPs make a big deal about how usage has gone up since the '90s, but I have seen how the cost of the hardware has plummeted since the '90s. Back then, a SMALL GigE switch cost over $1000/port. If you needed to switch a lot of connections, you would have to build a Clos network of switches and that would seriously push the price up.

      These days, the same capability is going for about $10/port (or $50/port with greatly improved management). Meanwhile, on the long haul side, improvements in the hardware allow you to push 10 times the data through the old fiber for the same cost. Just a normal upgrade cycle would bring these improvements into the ISP's infrastructure. On top of that, they have received billions in subsidies to improve connectivity to everyone and have fulfilled none of their promises.

      So given all of that, it's a better bet that they pocketed it.

    3. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      I think Netflix would have noticed if they didn't get the peering points they paid for.

    4. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      You mean the ports that had to be reconfigured with 'no shut'?

    5. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Do you actually know that no new equipment was needed or are you just guessing?

      It doesn't really matter, though - if it so happens that the Netflix peering could be accomplished using existing equipment, it is still taking up space on that equipment. One day, said equipment will run out of space and new equipment will need to be purchased. The Netflix peering means that will happen sooner than it otherwise would. In the long run, it all works out the same either way.

      Would you demand that a retailer give you a free TV because "look, you've already got them on the shelves - so it won't cost you anything to give one to me" ?

    6. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... You actually had to ask that question? The next time I am in a store and I happen to overhear someone say that I am not going to think kindly of you for putting that idea out there...

    7. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      I'm basing it on the typical conditions I see in an interchange or meet-me. Have you ever done any networking beyond the workgroup/office level?

      It's fairly clear in the history that Comcast deliberately damaged throughput to force a 'peering' that wouldn't actually cost them anything.

      The very concept of 'peering' with someone who doesn't own a network is odd. Especially so when Netflix already offers a cache box for any ISP that wants to reduce the upstream cost of serving Netflix to their customers.

    8. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Cost of bandwith has also plummeted. It's all geed, pure greed on the ISP part.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    9. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      If there were any evidence of that, Netflix would have sued. To be honest, I think you're being paranoid.

    10. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Cocmast deliberately damages VoIP traffic, they increase the dwell time in the cable modems to completely degrade VoIP that is not theirs... adding a DSL line and VoIP reliability went up drastically, so now we have DSL just for the VoIP phone system, we get more for less money than the crap Comcast offers for their crud-tastic phone service.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    11. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      If you'll recall, it was discussed right here on /., complete with the evidence. See this..

    12. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The only reason for 'some who doesn't own a network' to peer is for latency reasons. For example CCP who makes EVE Online runs their server park in London. They have physical lines to many ISPs and backbone providers around the world to reduce latency. Yes CCP is multihomed (AN and provider independent IP range) run their own latency aware border gateways.

    13. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      So, if you change the traffic route so as to bypass the bottleneck, you get better service? That doesn't prove anything about the nature of the bottleneck.

    14. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      The home connection (with the slowdown) and the office connection (without) hung off of the same router deep inside Comcast's network. Meanwhile, a peering happens way on the other side of the operation.

      Pulling that stream from a vpn to the office back through that same router again meant that the well performing stream required double the resources than the direct stream, yet performed better because it evaded a deliberately configured slowdown for residential customers (by using a business connection and an encrypted stream whose nature couldn't be detected).

    15. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      "The home connection (with the slowdown) and the office connection (without) hung off of the same router deep inside Comcast's network."

      Huh? Where did you get that information?

    16. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Actually, even if true, it still doesn't prove anything unless you can show that Comcast routes their business traffic in the same way as their residential traffic, which seems unlikely.

      Of course, to turn it around, I can't prove that Comcast *weren't* intentionally sabotaging Netflix. But if they were, then the changes in the FCC's position (at least those described here) aren't relevant; Comcast's alleged behaviour would presumably be just as illegal under the new proposals as under the old ones.

    17. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Google "Comcast throttling Netflix". It was all over the net recently, including right here on /.

    18. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Comcast does not run two separate networks. Different routing inside their network couldn't be fixed by a fatter peering connection on the outside.

      Note though that I have Comcast and none of the traceroutes I have done suggest that a business account is routed differently. It appears to be more a matter of what limits they give the modem and how they figure your monthly balance.

      And as I said, 'peering' with someone who doesn't own a network is just bizarre to the point that calling it peering is a stretch.

    19. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      "Different routing inside their network [...]" ... actually I was thinking more of the backbone routing. They've got a big network, presumably they have multiple backbone exit points, and it seems entirely plausible that some have better connectivity to Netflix than others.

      "none of the traceroutes I have done suggest that a business account is routed differently" ... odd. You wouldn't expect a business account to be competing with residential accounts for bandwidth. I suppose they could be using QoS over the same routes, though. (Or just cheating their business customers. Take your pick.) ... or perhaps we aren't even talking about the same thing? I'm talking about enterprise-level connections, for businesses with hundreds or thousands of machines, usually including servers. If you just meant small retail or home office connections, that's a different story. (But small retail and home office don't usually have VPN, so I don't think that's likely to be the situation described in the forum thread you linked to.)

      "'peering' with someone who doesn't own a network is just bizarre" ... well, that's just nomenclature. Call it what you like, the end result is the same.

      I still think the bottom line is that Netflix was trying to avoid paying their fair share of the costs. Did you see the part where they threatened to generate junk traffic from customer's machines, specifically in order to incur extra costs for the ISPs? That doesn't sound like someone negotiating in good faith to me.

    20. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Comcast doesn't do enterprise. Their business account is 100Mbps down and 20 up, a few static IPs. And yes, they use those magic words 'up to'.

      As for VPN, probably not a dedicated box, but pretty much any server can support VPNs. I have used SSH on my phone with the socks proxy set up as an ad-hoc VPN.

      The threat of junk traffic was likely just a debate tactic to shut Comcast up about 'unbalanced traffic'. I often use the same rhetoric when someone won't stop complaining about 'unbalanced traffic' along the lines of "well if that's the big problem, I can fix that right now". That would be because the people complaining about it generally are just trying to avoid the point that every byte of traffic was requested and paid for by their customers.

    21. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Sounds like you're trying to change the internet to a COD model, where you pay for traffic received rather than traffic sent. I'm not sure that's realistic. (For one thing, it would make DDoS attacks even more painful than they already are!)

      Also note that Netflix customers using Comcast really aren't already paying for those bytes. To do that, Comcast would have to identify Netflix customers and charge them extra, and you can just imagine the howls that would cause. Oh, sure, they could charge by the gigabyte or implement data caps. But I don't think their customers would like those options either. Or they could just up their prices across the board, but then Netflix users would be being subsidized by everyone else, and I don't think that's fair. The best solution, IMO, is for Netflix to pay and pass the cost on to their customers, and that's exactly what's happened. AFAIK, there's nothing stopping them from charging Comcast users extra to cover it.

      (In the thread you linked, it didn't sound like the OP was talking about an ad-hoc VPN to me; that also means that his office connection probably wasn't via Comcast, if Comcast don't do enterprise. Of course, that's all just speculation. OTOH, I still figure Netflix would have sued if they'd found any actual evidence of discriminatory throttling, which shouldn't have been hard to do.)

    22. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Actually, other than residential and business cable, it tends to be billed based on 95th percentile data rate (greater of outbound or inbound). That's because the rate is what drives the costs. Of course, they also have committed rates.

      BTW, Comcast HAS implemented caps over and above the rate limit on the connection, so the customer DID already pay for those bytes.

      You seem to be missing a LOT of information to have formed such a strong opinion.

    23. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I decided against VOIP from them since my neighbor got it and kept needing to use our phone to tell then it wasn't working again.

    24. Re:Comcast lowered bills? by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      "Comcast HAS implemented caps" ... now, that's very odd. Why would anyone join Netflix in the first place if they've got a connection with data caps? Doesn't it make it pretty much useless? You'd burn through the cap in no time ... we run out of data (or nearly so) most months, and that's just from Youtube.

      I don't know what makes you think I've got a particularly strong opinion - oh, on the general principle behind the FCC's reformulation of net neutrality, sure, but the details of this specific incident aren't directly relevant to it.

  25. its time by bugger41 · · Score: 1

    its time we see to it the the corporate influence on the net abolished they ruin every thing they touch the internet is no exception the f.c.c. has lost there minds it time we tell them ether they rule in the favor of the people and the people alone or we find a way to faze them out. im sick of hearing how the internet is under attack and corporate influence is the cause they don't make laws we do when is that ever going to be expressed. they need to be told once and for all to shut up and go away the internet belongs to the people not them they just don't deserve a vote. they ruined the main steam media let them feed from that filthy troff until it runs dry then they can starve to death as it is a deserving fate.tell them to take their collectivist ideas and jam them where the sun don't shine. it time we let them rot on the vine.we don't need them we have the internet for now.

  26. Go to hell, FCC by nwaack · · Score: 1

    So I guess this page on the FCC website doesn't actually mean anything then. I guess the bribes finally became large enough.

  27. Well then we need another petition by KingTank · · Score: 1

    One that has the same sentiment but doesn't sound like a 14-year old wrote it.

    1. Re:Well then we need another petition by treeves · · Score: 1

      Agreed. I signed it, but I wished it had been written better.

      --
      ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    2. Re:Well then we need another petition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, you're not going to find one written by a networking expert who actually understands the issues involved, because the people who do understand the issues involved know that everything is fine and nothing needs to be done, except perhaps tell the shit-stirrers to shutup, or more usefully, educate them as to how internet peering works, and why net neutrality is either impossible or meaningless, depending on your definition of net neutrality.

  28. Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by GoodNewsJimDotCom · · Score: 2

    Comcast should be fined for extorting Netflix so they don't throttle their bandwith. The problem is that Comcast buys out politicians so the government no longer regulates monopolies, monopolies regulate the government.

    1. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Oh, for heaven's sake - haven't we gone over this enough times by now? Comcast *wasn't* throttling the bandwidth. They simply declined to pay for additional equipment that would only be of benefit to Netflix customers.

      Why should Comcast customers who don't use Netflix subsidize those that do?

    2. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which they mysteriously managed to buy and install immediately after they started paying.

    3. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Reports of performance improvements came in only a few days ago, IIRC, and Netflix paid what, a month back? That's plenty of time. This is commodity equipment, remember, the manufacturers have a more than adequate supply sitting in the warehouses.

    4. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're joking, right?
      To your first post, they were somehow able to determine in was Netflix that was causing congestion? Not Hulu, Amazon, Pandora, Iheart, napster, limewire, or Slashdot? Nope, it was just Netflix that needed more bandwidth. Also, none of the others would have benefitted from Comcast improving their network to deliver ALL packets faster? How is a network upgrade only going to benefit Netflix users? Won't the guy streaming from another source (maybe his own server) also benefit?

      To the second post, if you think it's that damn easy to upgrade a major network ISP, I have a bridge to sell you. It's how you get to my beach house in Arizona.

    5. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      No - Comcast the transport provider setup peering with Netflix directly vice Netlfix-via-Cogent. Comcast asked Cogent to cough up the money because they were an unequal peer in the transport agreement setup. Cogent, being poor, used PR to get Netflix (a positive household word) vs. Comcast (a negative household word) as the fight headline so that Cogent could continue to unequally peer with Comcast.

      Netflix, instead of working with Cogent to come up with terms that Comcast would like (which wouldn't have been Netflix's responsibility) went to Comcast and said, "Hey, let's do that thing that the Internet is really great at - *cutting out the middleman*." Comcast offered rates that were acceptable to Netflix (especially after Netflix raises their prices) and Cogent loses out on some of Netflix's business.

      What this comes down to is that it's not surprising that they managed to get it set up very quickly, Comcast the transport provider likely had existing lines they could use to peer with Netflix and all that took was setup such that the improvement could be realized almost before the ink was dry on the contract.

    6. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      What *are* you talking about? It was never a question of "Netflix [...] causing congestion" it was a question of "Netflix users complaining because streaming wasn't working well enough". Netflix asked Comcast for extra bandwidth. Hulu and the rest didn't.

      How do you expect adding extra peering points between Netflix and Comcast is going to increase bandwidth for "the guy streaming from another source"? I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense.

      As to your last point, we're not talking about an upgrade of Comcast's entire network. We're talking about some additional equipment at a small number of specific locations. ISPs do this sort of thing all the time, and they've gotten very good at it.

    7. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because I pay comcast to get to netflix. If they can't provied that then they can tell me and I'll find another ISP that can.
      I pay for bandwidth; they sell it. I don't see the problem. They are crocks of s**t.

    8. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Go ahead; no doubt you can arrange for a business-level connection if you're determined. You'll have to pay at least ten times as much as you do now, but that's your choice.

      Or you could tell Netflix to sort it out - which they've now done, of course.

    9. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When? Before or after Netflix et al. are taxed for over-grazing the commons and polluting a public resource they pay nothing to maintain?

      These are symptoms, though. The underlying problem here, as in many other places, is a limited, temporary boon to encourage creativity and innovation having been gerrymandered into a right to perpetual, ahem, ROYALTIES, by generations of corrupt legislatures. If not the very concept of "Intellectual Property" itself.

      Oh, well, fork this shirt.

    10. Re:Comcast should have been fined for extortion. by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I don't know about Comcast but with Charter it is about 2-3x not 10x. Then again I pull down a lot of bits in a given month and have a couple of servers up and running as well so a business class line is really what I needed anyway. Add in that I don't have to deal with regular home user level of support when a problem happens (usually once a year to 18 months) and it is worth it.

      --
      Time to offend someone
  29. source-based not the problem by Chirs · · Score: 1

    As I see it, an ISP should first of all do QoS on their traffic based on *subscriber*...what their plan is, whether they have any SLAs in place, etc. At this stage the *type* of traffic should not be considered.

    As a second optional stage, *if a subscriber asks them to do so* then they could do type/source/whatever-based QoS, but that would *only affect packets belonging to that subscriber*.

    That way, your traffic can't affect mine, and mine can't affect yours. If I want, I can do my own QoS, or I can let the ISP do it for me. It is *not* the ISP's job to prioritize your VoIP packets ahead of my bittorrent packets. They should be equal. If you want them to prioritize your VoIP packets ahead of _your_ bittorrent packets, then that's fine.

    1. Re:source-based not the problem by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      This isn't about QoS. This is about who pays for the extra equipment necessary to support streaming video.

    2. Re:source-based not the problem by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      The equipment already supports streaming video. Hell when I was a dial-up ISP back in the 90's my old out of date crap supported streaming video.
      Whoever told you there was special equipment for streaming video support was lying to you.

      What is happening is that ISP cant drastically like 50 to 1 oversell their bandwidth anymore, so they are whining that they have to actually buy the bandwidth they were promising their customers. IF the ISP's were less scummy they would offer Netflix rack space in their POP NOC for a streaming server that would drop their backbone load down.

      but ISP's are not known to be honest.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:source-based not the problem by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      Of course there isn't "special equipment", don't be ridiculous. I said *extra* equipment, to carry the bandwidth Netflix wants but didn't want to pay for.

      No ISP ever promised their customers a congestion-free internet. Like most people, I use only a fraction of my bandwidth on average. Why should other people pay extra for a level of service they neither need nor want, just to subsidize Netflix's customers?

    4. Re:source-based not the problem by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      No extra equipment needed, just increase the bandwidth pipe like they should have. 90% of the problems are the fact that the backbone is heavily oversold to increase profits. most of the backbones are not even being utilized at 20% all they have to do is call up their backbone provider and ask for more, no gear needed.

      When I worked at comcast they were notorious for that. Grand Rapids MI had a single OC12 coming in that was at 10% Util because they were targeting a 100X oversell point. They figured customers would not complain about bandwidth during heavy times until they hit 100X oversold.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:source-based not the problem by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      My understanding is that Netflix paid for direct peering with Comcast, in order to bypass Netflix's backbone provider. I would expect that to involve actual equipment, though I don't claim to be an expert.

      Still, even if all they had to do was ask their backbone provider for more capacity, surely said provider is going to charge for it? What would be the point of under-utilizing a link if full utilization didn't cost anything?

    6. Re:source-based not the problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That way, your traffic can't affect mine, and mine can't affect yours.

      That is absolutely 100% incorrect. If my traffic and your traffic go through the same router, then they almost certainly affect each other. Even on an uncongested route, due to the random quasi-periodic nature of most internet traffic, the existence of your traffic will result in increased mean latency of my traffic, due to extra mean queue depth.To put it another way, even if the router is not dropping packets because of some traffic discipline, it is still possible for two packets to arrive incidentally causing the transmission of one of them to be delayed (size/bandwidth = forwarding delay). Even in the idealistic case where all the routers downstream ports are less than or equal to it's upstream port, your packet can still delay my packet by up to the FD of your packet via the upstream port.

      In the congested case it is worse. Some packets must be dropped, and doing FIFO is the worst discipline by any measure of fairness. If you do FIFO on a congested link, then the host which is sending the most data has the lowest drop ratio, and the host sending the least data has the highest drop ratio. For a proof, go read any elementary text on packet forwarding networks. What you probably want is some type of AQM, whereby the largest flow has packets dropped before the egress queue is full, to ensure that there is infact room in the egress queue when some less busy flow's traffic arrives.

      Next, is the problem of classes of service; If a business subscriber is paying $$ for a certain service level, then it becomes necessary to have prioritised queues and drop traffic from other classes to ensure that the egress queue on the router is always short enough to meet the requirements of the SLA.

      Here is another problem: different traffic classes have different requirements. VoIP requires little bandwidth but requires low packet loss, and low latency and jitter; it therefore needs to be queued ahead of latency tolerant traffic like BitTorrent, FTP and streaming video. On the other hand, it is not reasonable to just allow all VoIP traffic priority, so it is necessary also to police VoIP traffic, either relabelling it as a different class or dropping it when it exceeds some bandwidth threshold.

      Latency and throughput are mutually exclusive btw, to ensure low latency, you have to keep queues short, but to ensure high throughput you have to utilise larger queues to increase link utilisation and avoid drops. Luckily we can have both, but only if ISPs practice and are alllowed to practice sound traffic engineering.

      It might seem unfair to you that an ISP has higher drop rates for large flows, like those generated by Netflix, but if they really did what you are asking, the service you would get would be abysmal. VoD and BT would soak up all the available throughput, the latency would be terrible, and any low volume flow like regular web browsing would have atrocious drop rates.

    7. Re:source-based not the problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, that equipment is already installed, paid for, and mostly depreciated already.

      This is about Comcast et al. fencing in the prairie and maintaining monopolies. Collecting tolls doesn't work very well without them.

      It's a variation on the "last mile", access to DSLAMs, etc., just kinda in reverse. (Kinda, because anybody with a TCP/IP stack is a network operator.) The big boys don't want retailers to be able to bypass them. Simple as that. Issue would never arise but for dumb consumers scared of a DMCA suspension, nastygrams from MPAA lawyers, anti-pnp FUD, etc. We have met the enemy, and so on.

    8. Re:source-based not the problem by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      It doesn't make any difference in the long run whether the specific equipment involved is already present or not. Any additional load on that equipment brings forward the day when it needs to be replaced. Bottom line, why should Netflix get a free ride at Comcast's expense?

  30. What's wrong with this picture? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Isn't the very fact that the service providers CAN determine what we're getting and sending to and from whom is itself a violation of privacy? I don't care about net neutrality if the packets I'm dealing with are properly secured.

  31. Good I'm in Brazil! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Net neutrality is the law here (signed yesterday)!
    In this deep shit country I feel better each time I read the news about justice, democracy or fairness in the US.

  32. Just wish folks would chill out by TheSync · · Score: 1

    As a veteran of the early days of the Internet, I wish people would just chill out from trying to get the Federal government to put more regulations on the Internet. The lack of regulation is what enabled the Internet to be what it is today.

    Someone has to pay to put bits into a network, someone has to pay to move bits in a network, and someone needs to pay to move bits out of a network.

    Leave it to the content providers and ISPs to figure out how to slice up the pie.

    If you want more competition in local ISP access, work on that instead. Go start one! You could even offer 1 Gbps non-oversubscribed bandwidth. I'm sure you won't run into any regulation causing a barrier to entry...

    1. Re:Just wish folks would chill out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But you seem to be missing on how important it has become for a business to be available on the Internet.

      If content providers had to pay twice (they already pay for their connection to the middle) would Google exist, would YouTube exist, would any streaming site exist?

      You'd have ads like: Get Comcast's fastest connection yet with speeds up to 100Mbps*

      *Up to 100Mbps when accessing selected premium sites, access to non-premium sites is limited to 128Kbps.

      Many upstart sites like Google once was, like Facebook once was like YouTube once was may not be able to afford the costs to be a premium site. If a site is not responsive, not fast enough, what chance does it have. Anything that competed with Comcast's core cable market would sure to not be able to afford the premium status.

      Sure we could work on starting our own ISP, but I think you are underestimating the regulatory hurdles that have been put in place. Google, a company with the money and lawyers to make things happen has been delayed and held back repeatedly by permitting and regulatory issues on their rollout in Austin. They were planning to turn on connections this month, when they announced Austin. They are not even to accepting sign-ups yet, which means they are likely to be 6-12 months behind their original timetable.

      If Google is having issues with the resources they have, again how long do you thing the incumbent has to have an upstart that isn't backed with millions/billions tied up before they fail without ever getting a chance to start?

    2. Re:Just wish folks would chill out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's the stupidest thing I have read all day.

      you are just entirely wrong.

    3. Re:Just wish folks would chill out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "If you want more competition in local ISP access, work on that instead. Go start one!"

      Good luck getting investors to put money in a start-up when they see the 900 lb gorilla getting its customers to pick up the tab for a nationwide WiFi hotspot rollout.

      Now, if you could get your ILEC to see the sense in getting over its greed and chauvinism long enough to tariff some OC3's reasonably...

    4. Re:Just wish folks would chill out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wups, sorry local family dynasty ladies operating a public utility, didn't mean to let my pent-up frustration get out of hand, but you have collected beaucoup bucks from me over the years. What is it? $50K or so? Yes, I know, a few circuits does not an ISP make, but when I order them from my backbone, they go to you to lease and provision them to my premises. Give them a good rate, not any $20k/mo., so that they can give me a good rate in turn. And I will be needing some dry copper since you won't provide DSLAM access, and at least a couple of T1/E1's for dial-ups. Give me that much and I can work with it. Access to your fiber would be nice, possibly essential if you let your copper plant expire, but I can do without for now. Just think, if we work together, we can rout the evul Commiecast guys!

    5. Re:Just wish folks would chill out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      parting thot: that above is hypothetical. No intention of jumping though hoops just to be a whipped dog and unpaid policeman. Cannon fodder for rent-seekers on unreal property. 'scuse for channelling JYA.

      Fork the Internet, instead

  33. Time for a new internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seriously, slashdot, why can't we discuss the possibility of a new internet? Is it too revolutionary for you? Does it make you nervous? NSA instruct you to censor all such talk?

    Is it even technologically possible to make a new internet with ISPs that are co-owned by all the users? I feel like someone has already suggested this a few years back.

  34. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Truth hurts?

  35. Won't win this fight with philosophical arguments by Tanman · · Score: 1

    As bad-taste as it is to post another submitted story in a front-page story, here is another whitehouse.gov petition story that addresses net neutrality from an angle that is actually winnable:

    http://slashdot.org/submission/3512823/whitehousegov-net-neutrality-petition

    That links to this: http://wh.gov/lfOKl

    In order to win this fight, we need to make people understand that net neutrality is a services-paid-for issue. They paid for something, but they are being robbed out of getting what they purchased. To win net neutrality, you MUST sell that point to people.

  36. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i'm embarrassed on your behalf

  37. yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He is the one that chose the current chairman. Whats so difficult get some one from industry that is known to be a preacher of net neutrality. So either he is stupid, incompetent, or devious you pick.

    1. Re:yeah right by OneAhead · · Score: 3, Interesting

      He is the one who proposed the current chairman for approval or rejection by the senate, following pressure from his party.

      FTFY.

      Also, chairman != dictator.

      Also, some say that Obama did this to regain some political capital with powerful people he rubbed the wrong way earlier. Be that as it may, I'm not claiming he's free from blame. It gets somewhat harder to do the right thing when everything around you is rotten, but that's no excuse, merely a mitigating factor.

  38. Petitions need to be more specific by fightinfilipino · · Score: 1
    i've signed on to the one linked in the article, but that petition lacks specifics. for example, one of the biggest problems is having a former CTIA lobbyist as the chairman of the FCC. that has to end.

    sign this petition if you agree: http://wh.gov/lwhr8

    yes, the usefulness of these petitions are questionnable. but if enough *voters* make a fuss, people notice. cynicism and total inaction never changes anything.

  39. Re:Won't win this fight with philosophical argumen by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    No, the problem is that people don't understand what they've paid for. If you'd really paid for both ends of the traffic, with unlimited bandwidth, the prices would have been much higher than they are.

    Why should Comcast customers who don't use Netflix subsidize those that do?

  40. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 0

    OK, at least you understand that infrastructure upgrades are necessary. So ... why should Comcast customers who don't use Netflix pay for upgrades to benefit those who do?

    If I only use the internet for email and online shopping, why should my prices go up because other people are using it for video streaming?

  41. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Are you against overnight delivery options? This is propaganda against the same thing, except for bandwidth.

    Companies offer expedited delivery because it increases the amount of business they can do. If it cost them customers to offer tiered services, they wouldn't do it. The internet will be larger and offer more options, not fewer, if Net Neutrality is kept out of the ISP industry.

    The righteous indignation against internet freedom in this case is surprising for the community that wants so much choice in software.

    Fedex doesn't pay more money to use the roads to deliver an overnight package than to deliver a 5 day ground package.

    A more apt analogy to express delivery is that Netflix could opt for a slower service where you choose the movie you want to watch the day before, and they download it to you overnight, reducing their need for peak bandwidth. But that is not the same as paying the carriers more money to get the bits to you.

  42. This is nonsense by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    "[...] to mean that corporations and organizations can pay to have [...] the message of their competitors silenced."

    The new rules, as described in the previous article, allow a content provider to pay an ISP to install extra equipment to increase the bandwidth they have to their customers. They do not allow a content provider to pay to have an ISP block or degrade access to another content provider.

    The new rules are just common sense. ISPs should not be permitted to sell content providers exclusive access to the bandwidth their customers already paid for - but why shouldn't they be permitted to install extra bandwidth for a content provider at that provider's expense?

    1. Re:This is nonsense by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      It needs to state that they cant charge CUSTOMERS for access to things like netflix, because that is where the scumbag ISP's are going next.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:This is nonsense by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

      I believe it does.

  43. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 1

    again ad hominem

    It's not ad hominem if there's no "hominem" -- sign in to an account if you want someone to argue the merits of your argument. When you post as an AC, you're just one of many anonymous voices shouting from the back of the auditorium.

  44. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 2

    Netflix is not paying for the bandwidth the customers are already paying for. Netflix is paying for *extra* bandwidth.

    Data caps would solve the problem, but US consumers have been very reluctant (to say the least) to accept them. I don't think that's Comcast's fault. In any case, does it really matter whether Netflix customers are paying the extra costs to Netflix or to Comcast? I mean, enough to make it worth putting up with the hassles of a data cap?

  45. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fewer people use high priority mailing. The costs don't scale as much. More empty space is on the planes that carry more of the priority packages. It costs more to deliver things faster.

    Fewer people need fiber bandwidth at peak hours. It costs more per mile of cable to serve those people.

    There's a scarce amount of things, and the price will have to go up in order for demand to shrink down.

  46. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 2

    Fewer people use high priority mailing. The costs don't scale as much. More empty space is on the planes that carry more of the priority packages. It costs more to deliver things faster.

    Fewer people need fiber bandwidth at peak hours. It costs more per mile of cable to serve those people.

    There's a scarce amount of things, and the price will have to go up in order for demand to shrink down.

    I'm already paying taxes that cover the roads that Fedex uses to deliver my packages, why does Fedex have to pay more money to drive a priority package to my house when they've already flown the package (at their own cost) to within 20 miles of my house?

    I've already paid Comcast for 20mbit of bandwidth, why does Netflix have to pay them money to send me data over a pipe that I've already paid for when Netflix is willing to drop that data off at Comcast's front door? If Comcast can't provide 20mbit of bandwidth at the price they sold it to me for, then it sounds like they've overpromised and underdelivered and they should adjust rates accordingly.

  47. Re:Pro Net Freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So 1600213 is an identifier and 46836941 is not.

    Why does anything besides the content of a post matter in the merit of an argument?

    TBH I would sign in but I've been effectively banned for arguing on a side that the mobs disagreed with. Not sure why I would log in anymore.

    And now I have to wait how long - who knows? - to post again. Some open community!

  48. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 1

    So 1600213 is an identifier and 46836941 is not.

    They are both identifiers, one identifies a person, one identifies a post.

    Why does anything besides the content of a post matter in the merit of an argument?

    Because it's impossible to conduct any reasonable discussion with an AC since that "one" AC may be many different people with differing arguments.

    TBH I would sign in but I've been effectively banned for arguing on a side that the mobs disagreed with. Not sure why I would log in anymore.

    And now I have to wait how long - who knows? - to post again. Some open community!

    I didn't even know Slashdot banned anyone except outright trolls and spammers. You can always sign in again if are going to complain about Ad Hominen attacks when you aren't even a Hominem, it's not like it's hard to use create Slashdot accounts. Quoting the point you're arguing against wouldn't hurt either.

  49. Does the E.U. do it better? by QuietLagoon · · Score: 1
    Historic E.U. Net Neutrality Win Shows Maturing Digital Rights Advocacy

    After a 5-year long campaign by European and U.S. digital rights NGOs, today the European Parliament turned a dubious Commission proposal on its head to safeguard the principle of net neutrality. It’s a historic win, and all over the news. It also shows how digital rights advocacy is maturing.

  50. How do you write a law that allows blocking spam? by raymorris · · Score: 1

    I'm all for network neutrality as a CONCEPT. As someone who has been running servers for decades I don't see how Washington can make a LAW requiring network neutrality that doesn't blow up in our faces.

    An ISP gets hundreds of thousands of connection attempts from known email spammers every day. The volume of other attacks can be measured in how many hit you per minute. You absolutely MUST block and prioritize traffic based on its origin in order to have any hope of running a usable network. If Washington says you can't block or slow traffic based on the source and other attributes, email pretty much stops working. Worms will spread much faster. It becomes illegal to protect yourself or your customers from even the simplest of DOS attacks. In general, things would just get real nasty real fast. I'd need to see a proposal that looks like it might possibly work before I could support a law on the issue.

    Though I know what some of the unintended consequences would be, there are always others that we don't foresee - every law causes some problem, so we should be careful about passing new federal laws.

    Secondly, what is the motivation for this? We're afraid of something that COULD happen. We come up with hypothetical scenarios, but none of this is real - it hasn't happened. If it does happen, do we not already have laws about "unfair competition", "tortious interference", etc? Doesn't it make more sense to be alert, be watchful for any real problems, and see if our existing laws about unfair competition and such work as needed?

    Why such a rush to pass laws that we know will cause problems, to stop a possible problem that doesn't yet exist?

  51. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Buy a bandwidth plan that supports your needs & you aren't paying for upgrades/bandwidth needed by others. How could you POSSIBLY think otherwise. If you don't do streaming media than don't buy a plan with bandwidth that needs it.

  52. Fuck Petitions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You want real, effective action, write your goddamn Representative and Senators. Petitioning the White House makes no sense when it's Congress that passes laws. (The President does have leeway when enforcing laws, but petitioning everything you disagree with seems silly. Judges don't really take public opinion into account save for certain areas.)

    Write: "Dear Rep/Senator Whatsisname, I believe net neutrality will be beneficial to both the country and the economy. A regional monopoly of telcos by content creators and distributors hurts competition and consumers. ISPs should be vertically separated from content creation/distribution."

    That's the gist of it. Would need some cleanup.

    Most important of all, don't insult your Representative or Senator. Just because you disagree with them on some issues doesn't mean they won't vote in favor/against others if enough of their constituents demand it.

  53. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    I still want the internet to be as fast as possible when I *am* using it. It's the average bandwidth used, not the maximum, that is relevant here.

  54. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There are costs besides roads. Trucks have costs associated with them, mostly by mileage. There are gas, oil, repairs to pay for. Drivers to pay.

    They have to pay more for a truck that's less full. Fewer people will use priority mail, so the vehicles that have priority packages are more likely to be less full. Being less full is less efficient, and has higher costs associated with it.

    Sure, and that's all borne by the carrier that's driving on the roads to deliver the package to my door -- I pay that carrier just like I pay Netflix, but I don't expect my city to charge Fedex Priority truck a surchage when they let Fedex Ground trucks drive for free.

    The problem with analogies is that they don't always translate well to the real world problem.

    You didn't pay for bandwidth, you paid for 'up to' that amount - unless you have an ISP that wants to be sued for fraud (and more power to you if they did). I don't know of anyone that actually buys data transfer, except on their phone. And that's on top of a flat connection bill

    Let's see what Comcast says on their High Speed internet page:

    Get download speeds up to 25 Mbps – Share photos, book travel, and watch the latest viral video craze – at super-fast speeds.

    Get download speeds up to 50 Mbps – so you can game in real-time, download HD movies, and connect all the devices in your home simultaneously – at incredible speeds.

    Connect your devices and do more of what you love online with reliable Internet speeds for your home.

    Gee, I don't see anything there or their terms of use that says "Note: High speed internet applies only to providers that pay us to deliver their data to you".

    .

    An ISP that owns cables is paying off the cost of building them. An ISP that borrows cables is paying off the bulk cost of renting. When a cable is made to serve customers that use it less efficiently, such as mostly at peak hours, or otherwise concentrated in large transfers, then it costs more to accommodate them.

    If a business is not allowed to find the efficient means of paying these costs, then that business will fail. Everyone will lose, especially the customer, who will have fewer and worse options.

    I don't know why you think I don't want Comcast to be able to recover their costs of providing service -- they already have an efficient means to pay those costs -- they send me a bill each month, and if that bill isn't paying their costs, they can increase the rates I pay. That way I can fairly compare prices among different ISP's (luckily I'm in an area where I can choose from a few). When Netflix subsidizes Comcast, that makes the true cost of my internet service hidden since part of the cost is hidden in my Netflix bill (and eventually Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc will all have to pay). The largest ISP's shouldn't be allowed to use their near monopoly market penetration to extract fees from content providers when they are already charging customers for internet access.

  55. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    ... besides, streaming media doesn't use all that much bandwidth anyway, in my country at least the lowest bandwidth plans available are still perfectly adequate for streaming. The difference between streaming and most other uses is that streaming uses the bandwidth constantly, rather than in fits and starts.

    Now, we have data caps, and that solves the problem. Sort of. Of course it's more than a little inconvenient, so should really be considered a last resort if ISPs and content providers can't sort things out any other way. (I say it "sort of" solves the problem because it generally means you can't afford to use internet TV unless the content provider has a deal with your ISP to exclude it from the data cap - which is pretty much the same solution that Comcast and Netflix came up with. Only the details are different.)

  56. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Go shill for Comcast somewhere else. Netflix is perfectly willing to pay for its own bandwidth needs as am I. When I pay for 10 Mb/s I expect to get that to each and EVERY content provider I browse to or use on the internet. When I pay for an 'unlimited long distance' plan I do NOT expect to have to pay more to call my mom than I do to call my bank (or vice-versa).

    If Comcast or AT&T or any other 'ISP' didn't want to sell 'unlimited data plans' they didn't have to, nobody forced them to do it. I don't pay for the amount of data I receive or send per day I pay for 10 Mb/s as much as I can use at all times. I will not & should not have to than pay more to Comcast or a content provider because the FCC 'allows' Comcast to be both a monopoly AND to than screw Netflix as well. Certainly Netflix should pay more as their bandwidth needs go up just as I'd willingly pay more if I could get 100 Mb/s or 1 Gb/s bandwidth, but they shouldn't ALSO pay more just because they are Netflix nor should I pay more just because I use Netflix.

  57. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    Go shill for Netflix somewhere else!

    "Netflix is perfectly willing to pay for its own bandwidth needs" ... yeah, right. That's why they chose the cheapest option, and when it proved inadequate, demanded that Comcast provide them with extra bandwidth free of charge.

    "When I pay for 10 Mb/s I expect to get that to each and EVERY content provider I browse to or use on the internet." ... then you're an idiot. That's not how the internet works.

    Go ahead and build your own congestion-free internet if you like. Don't expect anyone to want to pay enough to cover your costs, though.

  58. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Charging very different users the same is obviously not as efficient as tiered services - otherwise there would no such thing as tiered service, anywhere. By forcing them not to use a legitimate business model you are telling them that they may not recover costs as efficiently.

    They already charge different users differently -- I pay more money for a faster connection since I use Netflix heavily. If I didn't watch streaming video, instead of a 25mbit connection, I'd buy their cheap 6mbit connection (or would use an ADSL provider). If they find charging for bandwidth alone to be unsustainable, then they can charge for data too -- charge $20 for each 100GB, or whatever covers their costs. They have lots of flexibility in their pricing structure. They can add peak surcharges or whatever else they need to do to pay for their network.

    The type of business that will be more likely to fail in this situation is the start-up or the small scale business.

    How can a startup expect to charge money to large users like Netflix, Amazon, etc? If Joe's House of Internet tried to force Netflix to pay up, Netflix would tell them to shove off and wouldn't worry about losing a few customers. But when Comcast (with over 15 million internet customers) tells them to pay up, they have little choice, since they can't afford to lose millions of customers.

    Sure, allow more competition. I'm all for a freer market.

    But don't reduce competition by telling Comcast that they can't incur costs on Netflix, when Netflix is incurring costs on Comcast.

    Netflix isn't incurring costs on Comcast, I (as a Comcast customer) am incurring the cost by requesting the data from Netflix, so I should be paying for that -- Netflix isn't forcing me to accept their data, I am requesting it.

    Why is it worse to have hidden costs in your monopoly bill than your more competitive Netflix bill?

    Because, it's a hidden cost and I can't see the true cost of my Comcast connection. If I pay $50/month to Comcast, and have a hidden $5 for Netflix, $3 for Amazon, $5 for Youtube, $1 for Facebook, etc, the true cost of my bill might really be over $100, and if I knew that, I might find another ISP more cost effective. And more importantly, if Comcast charged their true cost of delivering service and that ended up being $100/month, that might be a level that makes it profitable for another provider to come in, while if the content provider subsidies kept Comcast rates artificially low, then there would be less incentive for a competitor to enter the market since he wouldn't get the same subsidies yet he'd be competing against Comcast's subsidized rates.

  59. I knew this was going to happen, Obvious by dila813 · · Score: 1

    These two companies are huge donors to Obama, Look how they are willing to approve mergers. The previous net neutrality push was only to turn out the base, now it is time for the payback. What I am at a loss for, what about the turning over of the internet to international government bodies means for this policy change.

  60. A (Maybe) Pragmatic Alternative by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    Just a thought, but it seems that many of the objections here seem to be premised on the assumption that ISPs (and Comcast in particular) is taking too big of a profit margin. (Some people seem to think that running an ISP costs almost nothing and that Comcast are clearly pocketing almost all of their income.)

    So, perhaps rather than asking for regulatory changes that would break the internet, it would be more sensible to ask that ISPs - at least those with monopoly positions - be required to publicly release detailed income and expenditure figures? If there's any real profiteering, I don't see that you can do all that much about it without first knowing where it is and isn't happening.

  61. Thanks for letting us know by jebblue · · Score: 1

    I'd never signed up for the Whitehouse.gov petition site, thanks for making us aware there was a petition for this very important topic for the future of the Internet.

  62. wtf by kelemvor4 · · Score: 1

    I can't believe there's only 5k signatures so far. I expected whitehouse.gov to get slashdotted.

  63. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Gavrielkay · · Score: 1

    Netflix aren't paying for extra bandwidth. They are being extorted to pay more money in order to not be throttled down to the point where their customers give up and move on. Remember, Comcast competes with Netflix too. Cable internet providers have no interest in you spending $8 per month to watch everything on Netflix over their bandwidth rather than paying $100/mo to watch cable and movie channels. Comcast are abusing the monopoly they were given as a "utility" by telling their own customers they have unlimited downloads at a stated bandwidth and then telling Netflix they are strapped for throughput and Netflix better pay up to keep the bits flowing.

  64. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is really an issue between Comcast and Netflix's ISP. Netflix may have chosen the cheapest option, but it's Comcast which is really screwing everybody around here. I don't subscribe to Netflix because I object to them just like I object to Comcast's practices, but lets be honest. Comcast created this problem and its in Comcast's interest to keep that particular bottleneck in place.

  65. Meh, he's working with what he's got by rsilvergun · · Score: 1, Insightful

    We've been handing the entire country over to corporations for 40 !bleepin'! years. For God's sake, cut the man some slack. Has he compromised some principles? Yeah. But in the real world that's what you do to get things done. A General goes to war with the army he's given.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    1. Re:Meh, he's working with what he's got by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only 40? It's easily been 100 since the income tax and the Fed were established. And many of us unreconstructed still regard our beloved Great Railroad Lawyer as the "1st Dictator". Many who have been paying attention see that the snake was in the garden all along. Whence the patents and copyright clause, the blind eye to chattel slavery, etc.

      Oh, you mean the Nixon years, the petrodollar, price controls, oil embargos, going off the gold standard, the War on Some Drugs, and so forth. Well, from the same era, what about the Great Society for a corporate handout?

    2. Re:Meh, he's working with what he's got by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The question seems to be, though, exactly who the 2nd Dictator from Illinois is at war with, and who exactly he's really fighting for. Certainly not Cliven Bundy, nor even those who were led to believe "Woohoo!, it's our turn now, baby!" Either the premise therein, or the conclusion. Nope, just more bread and circuses.

      BTW, as Ayn Rand said, there are no contradictions...

  66. No by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    Third party candidates have no chance of winning because every possible candidate is vetted for suitability by the ultra rich. It's even got a name now, it's called the Sheldon Primary

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  67. screw obama by lleb · · Score: 1

    as great as this is, the blood worthless white house web site refuses to accept me creating an account via either Chrome, or Safari, so fuck the federal government and Obama with the horse he road in on.

    --
    worlds worst speller
  68. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think not all information costs the same. Streaming movies is much more costly than reading news stories and it's impossible for ISP to guarantee that all of their subscribers will be able to stream movies at the same time. I would be ok if net neutrality rules were suspended for bandwidth hogging services.

    Give me a break. Costs the same thing if all their gear is sending as much data as is possibility, as it does to idle and send nothing. It's still on, still connected, still consuming electricity.

    Do you think we were born yesterday?

  69. Net Neutrality needs to die by will_die · · Score: 0

    Net neutrality needs to die and quickly.

    I like that my ISP can scan my email for spam and remove it, I like that the ISP I for web hosting blocks traffic from sites that are trying attacks against my web site and I am sure the vast majoity of parents like that their school blocks various web sites that are designed to prey on kids. All of this would be prevented by the various net neutrality bills that have come up.

    Once net neutrality is killed we can switch to the family of laws that are need and that is application neutrality. Application Neutrality is the principle that ISP don't have to treat all sites and data on the internet the same but that they have to treat with a same set of rules for all traffic for a application type. ISP should be able to block email or block various web sites and application neutrality allows them to do so provide they filter email the same or block web content by the same set of rules for all sites.

    1. Re:Net Neutrality needs to die by 3.5+stripes · · Score: 1

      1. You have no idea how spam prevention works, denying something at the application level has nothing to do with net neutrality.
      2. Blocking malicious traffic does not violate net neutrality, the only criteria that net neutrality forbids is giving traffic priority in exchange for money.
      3. Blocking web sites means having a proxy which again, removes malicious or unsuitable content at the application level AT THE REQUEST OF THE END USER.

      You're either ignorant or a shill.

      Neither reflects well on you.

      --


      He tried to kill me with a forklift!
    2. Re:Net Neutrality needs to die by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So this is the mantra of the uneducated? It's crap like this that get the more uneducated behind horrible legislation.

      Honestly dude, you need to actually learn how the internet works and shut up until you know how things work, because all you are spreading is outright lies.

  70. I also started a petition by dislikes_corruption · · Score: 1

    Look like I'm a little late to the party, but I also started a petition here. I like mine better, I'm not sure I understand where he's going with the military bit in this one, but there's no reason why you can't sign both.

  71. WTF Slashdot? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why do you censor comments asking if it's possible to create a new internet? If you think that's trolling, why not just label the comment as trolling?

    1. Re:WTF Slashdot? by Soulskill · · Score: 1

      We don't censor any comments. I ran a quick search -- is this the comment you're referring to? Usually if you don't see a comment right away, it's because either the threshold settings are set to exclude it, or not all the comments on the page have loaded yet.

  72. Free? by JimSadler · · Score: 1

    Although I am for free speech I am also in favor of surveillance. That leaves me in a bad position as free speech ends when spying and potential penalties may be applied for unapproved speech. So we can admit that speech in America is a bit less than free. If we stack on top of that a further issue of corporations having more access to bandwidth than regular folks it is simply another blow against free speech. At this time I'm not so certain that American society can take that kind of hit without some serious rebellions cropping up. Many people simply do not trust our government enough as it is. Endless wars as well as a House of Representatives dedicated to inaction and the legacy of the Nixon mess has turned people away from our government.

  73. Dear Obama.... by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    How about reining in your lapdogs instead of a half hearted face saving attempt.

    Politicians are so transparent it's not funny, a single call from the president to the FCC director will change thins instantly.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  74. Re:How do you write a law that allows blocking spa by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    You are just drooling at the idea of charging companies and your customers for access to each other. if you were a REAL ISP you would know that blocking malicious content has always been allowed in every net neutrality bill.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  75. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    References, please. Everything I've read on the subject - including the PR material Netflix put out - says you're wrong.

  76. Re:bandiwth hogging is bad by harryjohnston · · Score: 1

    I disagree. Netflix created the problem. Everything was fine when Netflix were with their previous ISP.

  77. You don't want net neutrality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Unless it benefits you. A lot of you have stated that you would like to see ISPs disconnect infected Windows machines from the internet. Hypocrite much?

  78. Hum by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The world lived without this technology before so why can't we now? Let these corporate assholes play their game to the point of self destruction. You want clothes, movies, music, computer & parts? Just get up and drive to you nearest store, even if their markups are 34%(especially computer hardware stores).

  79. have you read any of them. S215, example:must spam by raymorris · · Score: 1

    Have you read any of the bills, or are you just guessing? The bills are only 5-10 pages each , so you CAN read them and get a clue.

      S215, for example, specifically requires ISPs to accept and process spam. Most spam comes from a fairly small number of sources, people who send out thousands of spam messages per minute. As they move around a little bit, competent admins block those sources. There's no reason to accept connections from these spam factories - they have gigabit connections pumping out spam and nothing but spam. Under S215, ISPs would have to accept that spam because it says spam filters must be per-recipient. It requires that the ISP accept the connections, process the email to see what the rcpt address is, look to see if the user exists (a one in a million chance for some spammers who generate random addresses like 74jdbk84hfdh6@domain.com), etc.

    Others require that the ISP pass all legal content. If you're at all familiar with CAN-SPAM, you may know that's ridiculous - 90+% of spam is legal.

  80. who controls the FTC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Isn't the FTC part of the executive branch of the government? All BHO should need to do is just say no.

  81. Re:Pro Net Freedom by hawguy · · Score: 1

    I pay that carrier just like I pay Netflix,

    I see where you're confused.

    Netflix is not the carrier. You're not paying Netflix to deliver the data into your house, but for some reason you think that's the case. I don't know how you got this notion.

    I see where you're confused, Comcast is the carrier, and I am paying *Comcast* to deliver the data to my house. That's the entire reason I pay Comcast for internet, if I wasn't watching Netflix I'd use a much cheaper ADSL provider that can only give me 3mbit of bandwidth.

    I've already paid Comcast for 20mbit of bandwidth, why does Netflix have to pay them money to send me data over a pipe that I've already paid for when Netflix is willing to drop that data off at Comcast's front door?

    Netflix is not willing to drop that data off at "Comcast's front door".

    Sure they are -- Netflix's CDN will deliver the data directly to Comcast's network. Or Comcast can set up some content caching servers to further reduce bandwidth demands.

    And "you've paid Comcast for 20mbit of bandwidth", to where? Everywhere on earth? The moon? Gee, maybe you think you're paying for 20mbit of bandwidth to Comcast's network, under the expectation that they have decent connectivity to other major networks.

    Yes, that's exactly what I'm paying for. I don't expect 20mbit to every place in the world, but I'd expect 20mbit to well connected sites.

    How is Comcast going to deliver 20Mbit from me in NZ, should you so choose, when my ADSL upstream is not even that fast? Do you expect them to jump on a jet and install for free, a fat pipe into my house to satisfy your desires. Talk about a false sense of entitlement.

    That's a strawman argument, that's not what I said and you know it.

    How did it become Comcast's fault that Netflix is too cheap and stingy to pay for peering with Comcast or one of Comcast's many fast transit providers? I'm sure if Netflix was using a quality carrier like Layer3, they wouldn't have any problems, but they choose to shop around for the most bargain basement transit provider, and then blame their customers ISP (who are infact blameless in this whole shenanigans), when their bottom rung transit provider doesn't deliver.

    Comcast can peer with Netflix's CDN just like other large ISP's do (like Google Fiber) -- it's Comcast's customers that are demanding Netflix traffic, Netflix isn't forcing it on anyone.

  82. Cat out of the bag! by bbsalem · · Score: 1

    The FCC ruling and the administration's response may be reactions to the cat already having got out of the bog, meaning the idea of Net Neutrality have have become moot on a variety of levels. ISPs are already throttling bandwidth for business gain, and how could regulators stop that as long as they allow major ISPs, Comcast, AT&T, etc. to have de facto monopolies, and bias search results and bandwidth? Google search is at least as non-net-neutral in a different way by biasing what you see first.

    Couple that with the NSA spying and Internet security attacks, and we may be seeing the end of the Internet and the emergence of its alternatives including those that trade freedom from spying and spam for less than instant gratification. The incentives are to make the Internet moot. Maybe our networks don't need to be always on and connectionless, maybe they can be more latent and secure and yet serve us nearly as well and maybe better with fewer bottlenecks and single failure points and fewer big corporations and governments controlling what we can see and do.

  83. FCC Complaint URL by scribble73 · · Score: 1

    If you want to support Net Neutrality, then you have to post a comment on the FCC website. The FCC has to formally consider every single comment it receives on its website, through its comment/complaint process.

    You can say anything you want, but constructive, helpful comments are more important than personal comments.

    The FCC doesn't make it easy to post your comment on this particular proceeding. Here is the link you need to follow. In the 'proceeding' text field at the top of the form, type the number '14-28.'

    http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/uploa...