http://blog.cosmix.org/2005/12/16/some-thoughts-on-the-role-of-isps-and-network-carriers/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:38:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://blog.cosmix.org/2005/12/16/some-thoughts-on-the-role-of-isps-and-network-carriers/comment-page-1/#comment-332 cosmix.org » Blog Archive » Why net neutrality matters. Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:01:48 +0000 http://blog.cosmix.org/2005/12/16/some-thoughts-on-the-role-of-isps-and-network-carriers/#comment-332 [...] I’ve written before about network neutrality as I believe it is one of the most important aspects of legislative policy that affects billions of people, yet has been largely ignored, as was DMCA and ECD before it. After discussing this with a friend, I decided it’s probably time to write a bit more about it. Net neutrality is the policy that requires network operators to not discriminate on application providers by shaping/controlling the traffic that passes through their networks. Less than a year ago the U.S. FCC (Federal Communications Committee) removed a part of their regulations aht ensured network neutrality among network providers. This has, in turn, led to a number of prominent social, industry, academia and political figures voicing their concerns about the prospect of a multi-tier internet, a network where operators discriminate between users and service providers. Similarly, traditionally ‘liberal’ organisations and individuals cried foul at any attempts to enforce legislation enforcing it, claiming that it is unconstitutional and limits the freedom of the internet industry. While I am against excessive government intervention in general, I believe this is a case where it is not just warranted, but essential. This is not about intervention. This is about the fair regulation of a utility. Perhaps the most important utility of them all: the internet. A medium of expression, communication, freedom of speech, innovation. In this article I will try to explain why I believe that attacks against network neutrality in the name of liberty are either hypocritical or naive. [...] [...] I’ve written before about network neutrality as I believe it is one of the most important aspects of legislative policy that affects billions of people, yet has been largely ignored, as was DMCA and ECD before it. After discussing this with a friend, I decided it’s probably time to write a bit more about it. Net neutrality is the policy that requires network operators to not discriminate on application providers by shaping/controlling the traffic that passes through their networks. Less than a year ago the U.S. FCC (Federal Communications Committee) removed a part of their regulations aht ensured network neutrality among network providers. This has, in turn, led to a number of prominent social, industry, academia and political figures voicing their concerns about the prospect of a multi-tier internet, a network where operators discriminate between users and service providers. Similarly, traditionally ‘liberal’ organisations and individuals cried foul at any attempts to enforce legislation enforcing it, claiming that it is unconstitutional and limits the freedom of the internet industry. While I am against excessive government intervention in general, I believe this is a case where it is not just warranted, but essential. This is not about intervention. This is about the fair regulation of a utility. Perhaps the most important utility of them all: the internet. A medium of expression, communication, freedom of speech, innovation. In this article I will try to explain why I believe that attacks against network neutrality in the name of liberty are either hypocritical or naive. [...]

]]> http://blog.cosmix.org/2005/12/16/some-thoughts-on-the-role-of-isps-and-network-carriers/comment-page-1/#comment-16 cosmix.org » Blog Archive » Internet as a utility and Wifi for everyone. Wed, 08 Feb 2006 19:35:50 +0000 http://blog.cosmix.org/2005/12/16/some-thoughts-on-the-role-of-isps-and-network-carriers/#comment-16 [...] I have written about my opinion on the role of internet service providers and their network providers. With everyone having a blog in Europe concerned with the Jyllands-Posten, I’ll beg to differ, refrain from providing a fragmented opinion-piece (covering this issue in one blog entry, or five for that matter, is not really doing it justice in my opinion) and revisit the much more seemingly boring and innocuous topic of internet access. Here we go. [...] [...] I have written about my opinion on the role of internet service providers and their network providers. With everyone having a blog in Europe concerned with the Jyllands-Posten, I’ll beg to differ, refrain from providing a fragmented opinion-piece (covering this issue in one blog entry, or five for that matter, is not really doing it justice in my opinion) and revisit the much more seemingly boring and innocuous topic of internet access. Here we go. [...]

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