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UK ISPs EE, Virgin and Vodafone Back Net Neutrality
Amanda Parker (3946253) writes EE, Virgin Media and Vodafone have thrown their support behind net neutrality by signing up to the Open Internet Code. Launched in 2012 by the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK code commits the three internet service providers (ISPs) to provide full internet access with no data blocked "on the basis of commercial rivalry." Content providers can now lodge a complaint with the BSG if they feel their services are being discriminated against. This latest development means that all major ISPs providing fixed and mobile networks are signed up to the code. BSG CEO Matthew Evans said: "Unlike some countries, where net neutrality has become a controversial topic for discussion, the UK benefits from a fiercely competitive market and high levels of transparency — which together offer the best assurance of an open internet."
In the UK case these ISPs mostly also run other media services: Virgin Media is a big media conglomerate that owns a bunch of TV channels, and Vodafone and EE both sell streaming-television services. A blocking/QoS war could be damaging to all of them, if they start preferring their own services and degrading other companies' services, so it might make business sense to just mutually agree not to do that.
10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
Aka Virgin "Throttle you back to dial-up speeds" Media, Virgin "The ASA have us on speed-dial" Media, or Virgin "What is infrastructure investment" Media
I'll believe this is more than lip-service when I see it.
As the FA and Summery are both completely lacking in details, here is the full Open Internet Code of Practice these guys signed up to:
http://www.broadbanduk.org/wp-...
The code already has the following ISPs as signatories:
BE, BT, BSkyB, KCOM, giffgaff, O2, Plusnet, TalkTalk, Tesco Mobile, Three
Although not directly related to net neutrality I feel that A&A http://www.aa.net.uk/ should be commended for their stance against the filtering and censoring of content http://www.aa.net.uk/kb-broadb... as requested by some.
Then you have completely reasonable and decent people like Claire Perry trying to push nanny filters because she is too scared to tell her kids about the birds and the bees.
Don't worry, now she's moved on from promoting on-line censorship to being a junior transport minister who tells rail commuters they're paying fair fares for comfortable commutes (while herself mostly driving into London to work and getting there by train just twice in the previous year).
I will never understand how someone so apparently disconnected from the reality that normal people face can actually manage to get elected, but whatever the reason, it seems a sad indictment of our "representative" democracy.
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
If the ISPs and telecoms are for it, then I'm against it.
Down with Net Neutrality! Damn them all to hell!
Wait, what were we talking about?
I will never understand how someone so apparently disconnected from the reality that normal people face can actually manage to get elected, but whatever the reason, it seems a sad indictment of our "representative" democracy.
The problem is that we don't vote nationally for cabinet posts. Someone may be a perfectly competent local MP, in touch with local issues and understanding their constituents' interests, but have absolutely no idea about whatever department they're put in charge of.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News
The problem is that we don't vote nationally for cabinet posts.
That is certainly part of the problem, yes. In fact, by my count, we are currently at least three level removed from choosing the ministers who nevertheless wield executive power within the government: at the last general election we elected our local MPs directly, but their parties then engaged in horse-trading based on share of parliamentary seats (not popular vote) to decide who would form the government, the winning party leaders became PM and DPM, and they are the ones who in practice allocate ministerial positions.
I face a related dilemma at the next general election: our local MP is one of the few who does seem to understand technology issues like the net neutrality we're discussing, as well as small businesses and other things that matter to professional geeks, and who does actually act on relevant issues in parliament to the extent that he can. Unfortunately, he's a Lib Dem, so a vote for him is also a vote for Clegg, Cable, and other people I have little respect for after their abysmal performance as part of the current coalition administration. On the other hand, it's not a vote for the leaders of any of the other parties likely to have a candidate in my constituency at the next general election, all of whom have actually managed to disappoint me even more so far this year.
Who do I vote for if I just want a competent, technologically aware, politically moderate government? :-)
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
BT are looking to buy them. If that happens, it'll be as bad as every other BT outfit.