Net Neutrality Debates Heat Up
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Written By Kate Zimmermann | February 1, 2007 | Share This
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Policy analyst Phil Kerpen has written a controversial post about network neutrality, claiming that, “Uncertainty over potential network neutrality requirements is one of the major factors delaying necessary network upgrades.” Without such “necessary network upgrades”, Kerpen believes that “global traffic will exceed the Internet’s capacity as soon as this year…and the traffic on many Internet backbones could slow to a crawl.” His findings are based on the Deloitte & Touche 2007 predictions.
Kerpen’s post was openly mocked by Techdirt,
“it’s become quite common for people to predict that the internet is on the verge of collapsing. The latest is even more ridiculous, as a think tank guy is warning that the internet is about to collapse, and that it’s all the network neutrality supporters who are to blame…There’s just one problem, the D&T report doesn’t mention network neutrality at all, and there’s no evidence to suggest that network neutrality has anything to do with backbone buildout.”
Broadband Reports echoed, “Deloitte & Touche’s actual capacity predictions…make no mention of network neutrality — instead stating companies aren’t increasing capacity “because consumers will be unwilling to pay increased costs.”"
In the meantime, Net Neutrality has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill. CNET reports that net neutrality and broadband taxes are at the top of the House tech agenda for 2007.
” Brokering a truce between Internet companies and network operators that have been battling over Net neutrality legislation is a top priority, Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia said in his kickoff speech at an annual conference organized by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee. ”
After advancing an unsuccessful amendment last year that would have imposed strict regulations on broadband providers, Boucher says he’s trying again with greater caution. Said Boucher, “I don’t want to do anything…that has the effect of hobbling innovation inside the network.”
Discussion:
- US Lawmaker: Net Neutrality a Top Issue (Macworld)
- Net Neutrality Act on the Agenda Again (Slashdot)
- Congressional Net Neutrality Advocates Prepared to Fight (CIO Blog)
Topics: Legal Issues, Technology, Wireless & Mobile |
Net neutrality has everything to do with the internet’s backbone build out because net neutrality is about managing traffic efficiently and making sure broadband deployment happens faster.
And the net neutrality advocates are the ones saying the internet will collapse and die if net neturality isn’t mandated. Yeah right. The internet will continue to function regardless of what happens but net neutrality will limit today’s internet’s robust responsiveness. In other words, get ready to wait 12+ hours for your Netflix movie to download (regardless of the internet service you have).
HOTI75 ~ With Hands Off The Internet Coaltion
What could be the solution?
Is there any other option to save it from neutrality?