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Deutsche Telecom Calls For Google and Facebook To Be Regulated Like Telcos

An anonymous reader writes Tim Hoettges, the CEO of the world's third-largest telecoms company, has called for Google and Facebook to be regulated in the same way that telcos are, declaring that "There is a convergence between over-the-top web companies and classic telcos" and "We need one level regulatory environment for us all." The Deutsche Telekom chief was speaking at Monday's Mobile World Congress, and further argued for a loosening of the current regulations which telcos operate under, in order to provide the infrastructure development that governments and policy bodies are asking of them. Hoettges' imprecation comes in the light of news about the latest Google Dance — an annual change in ranking criteria which boosts some businesses and ruins others. The case for and against regulating Google-level internet entities comes down to one question: who do you trust to 'not be evil'?

5 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. Monopoly Control by prefec2 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As Google and Facebook have monopolies similar to Telcos own networks it is logical to control these monopolies. However, coming from Deutsche Telekom is a little strange, as they always try to shake monopoly control in Germany.

    1. Re:Monopoly Control by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Google and Facebook do not have monopolies.

      A monopoly is when there is no other other option. Only one telco has a phone wire going to your house. You don't like Google? Fine, use Yahoo, or MSN, or DuckDuckGo, or any of the other million search engines out there. Just because Google is the most common search engine does not mean it's a monopoly.

  2. Re: Yeah.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Just to inform you: you have won the war against us. You've helped us to establish one of the most modern democracies, with features and systems your 18th century state can't compete with.

    Remaining in gratitude, a german coward.

  3. Yahoo! by jfdavis668 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just use Yahoo! or anything else. or stop complaining.

  4. Re:Yeah.... by Sowelu · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If you get tired of Google, you "quit using it"?

    Try that as a business. If Google arbitrarily decides that you no longer show up on search lists, or even that you no longer show up on a map--your business basically ends, unless all your business comes from the sidewalk.