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FCC To Rule On "Paid Prioritization" Deals By Internet Service Providers
An anonymous reader writes "After a record 3.7 million public comments on net neutrality, the FCC is deciding if the company that supplies your internet access should be allowed to make deals with online services to move their content faster. The FCC's chairman Tom Wheeler says financial arrangements between providers and content sites might be OK if the agreement is "commercially reasonable" and companies say publicly how they prioritize traffic. Many disagree, saying this sets up an internet for the highest bidder. "If Comcast and Time Warner – who already have a virtual monopoly on Internet service – have the ability to manage and manipulate Internet speeds and access to benefit their own bottom line, they will be able to filter content and alter the user experience," said Barbara Ann Luttrell, 26, of Atlanta, in a recent submission to the FCC."
Not really telling us anything we didn't already know though, is it? They've been saying this for months. (although I'll admit not in the NYT or PBS - it's something I follow since it was my research for TorrentFreak that started all this when we proved Comcast were screwing with Bittorrent traffic back in the summer of 07)
It won't be a straighforward result; "yes it's ok" or "no, net neutrality must rule." They'll hand us some mumbo jumbo legalese weasel-word bullshit the players involved will have to trouble navigating and the lawyers will rejoice.
Would you like Netflix with your Internet, sir?
That argument would hold more weight if (a) there were a possibility of competition; or (b) the Internet had not been subsidized with taxpayer money. The reality is, this *is* infrastructure like roads and plumbing, competition is stifled by law and economic forces, and taxpayers have put hundreds of billions of dollars into building the network. Besides that, I'm sure there are plenty of legal restrictions on what chemicals a dry cleaner can use.
Overwhelming response telling our leaders exactly what we wanted through our only feedback system. And it is blatently IGNORED in favor of paid interests. It's not a surprise, considering that the FCC leader is ex-cable, and they are appointees directly from big business. However it obviously shows just how badly this country is broken. I'm not an alarmist, but it this simply isn't going to change with the current US government system. They have no REASON to change it.
Would you consider voting out the incumbents?
It's the only voting strategy that can make a difference, the only one that matters.
When congressmen realize that they can be voted out after a single term, we'll have pro-public policies.
And the best part is it's completely anonymous! No registration, no donations, no E-mail lists, no paper trail. Just resolve that "if this doesn't go in favor of the people, I'm voting against the incumbents".
Join the boot party - give 'em the boot!
(P.S. - Pass this along)
Are you really this dense or just playing the part ?
For most, we're lucky to have a single provider at all. I have Comcast because my only other choice ( no a 10gb capped satellite is not a choice ) is a Verizon DSL line which, last time I tried them, my download speed topped out at a blistering 45k. K as in KILO. I had better speed via dialup circa 1996 :/
They don't take care of the copper plant any longer, so that's the service you get :/ Don't like it ? Too bad, give Comcast a ring, maybe they care. .
When tech support told me to " reboot my recycle bin " because that can cause a slowdown ( you can't make this up ) I went back to Comcast because I have no choice in the matter.
Sometimes I like to think about what sort of country we could be if we didn't spend quite so much on our war toys :/
Kind of like that silly do-nothing site petition.org , they only want your opinion so they can do demographics for the next elections. It doesn't really mean that your opinion will guide any future policies. This is the Repubmocrat party, they are here to govern us, we are here to enrich their wealth and power. Further, we best not speak too loudly about things that might upset corporate commerce, which is the backbone of political wealth. Remember who is the master and who is the peon.
They will ALWAYS do whatever they want and you are free to have your opinion as long as it doesn't make any waves or affect any situations.
Still convinced there are separate Republican and Democrat parties that you just MUST vote for in order to keep economic stability?
Take a look, the economy hasn't been stable in anyones lifetime, so what faerie tale are you really voting for? Your vote means no more than your opinion on Net Neutering if you keep voting for the official party. Vote for anyone NOT in the Repubmocrat party and at least send a message.
*Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!