The Search for Net Neutrality
Appeared in the Toronto Star on December 19, 2005 as Dangers in ISPs' Bid For New Tolls
Appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on December 22, 2005 as Keep Networks Neutral
Appeared in the BBC on December 22, 2005 as Towards a Two-Tier Internet
The Search, a popular new book by John Battelle about Google and the search engine industry, provides a revealing look at how in its early years Google's founders were unsure of how to channel their enviable position as intermediaries between Internet users and the search for Internet content into a viable business model. The answer ultimately emerged as advertisers' willingness to pay for visibility in search results became the basis for the multi-billion dollar paid search market.
Analysis of the Internet service provider business suggests that it has engaged in a similar decade-long search. Although providing Internet connectivity is certainly a profitable enterprise, ISPs have understandably sought to identify how they can leverage their role as intermediaries to generate additional revenues.
In the 1990s, many ISPs focused on providing both connectivity and content. Large ISPs such as America Online developed a wide range of exclusive content, though they ultimately failed to match the breadth of what developed freely online.
Meanwhile, companies such as BCE pursued convergence strategies, buying up television networks (CTV) and publishers (the Globe and Mail) with the view of combining connectivity and content. More recently, the industry has relied on bundling, de-emphasizing the content and connectivity combination for the opportunity to cross-sell Internet services with cable or satellite television as well as with conventional phone and wireless services.
Rest of story at http://www.michaelgeist.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1040
Note: http://www.michaelgeist...
Net Neutrality Under Fire
Posted on Wednesday, April 26 at 09:39 by PatmContributed By
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Personally I like the 'net as it is. I review received E-mails for name of originator and subject description. If neither strike a 'chord' I delete the message.
As for children's access, it is the PARENT'S job to supervise their children's activities; that includes any audio/visual material the child may be subjected to.
A similar argument was put forward decades ago regarding TV programming. The response at that time was similar: Use the 'off' switch frequently...
H.F Wolff
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How would the gutting of Network Neutrality affect you?<br />
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*Google users—Another search engine could pay dominant Internet providers like AT&T to guarantee the competing search engine opens faster than Google on your computer.<br />
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*Innovators with the "next big idea"—Startups and entrepreneurs will be muscled out of the marketplace by big corporations that pay Internet providers for dominant placing on the Web. The little guy will be left in the "slow lane" with inferior Internet service, unable to compete.<br />
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*Ipod listeners—A company like Comcast could slow access to iTunes, steering you to a higher-priced music service that it owned.<br />
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*Political groups—Political organizing could be slowed by a handful of dominant Internet providers who ask advocacy groups to pay "protection money" for their websites and online features to work correctly.<br />
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*Nonprofits—A charity's website could open at snail-speed, and online contributions could grind to a halt, if nonprofits can't pay dominant Internet providers for access to "the fast lane" of Internet service.<br />
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*Online purchasers—Companies could pay Internet providers to guarantee their online sales process faster than competitors with lower prices—distorting your choice as a consumer.<br />
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*Small businesses and tele-commuters—When Internet companies like AT&T favor their own services, you won't be able to choose more affordable providers for online video, teleconferencing, Internet phone calls, and software that connects your home computer to your office.<br />
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*Parents and retirees—Your choices as a consumer could be controlled by your Internet provider, steering you to their preferred services for online banking, health care information, sending photos, planning vacations, etc.<br />
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*Bloggers—Costs will skyrocket to post and share video and audio clips—silencing citizen journalists and putting more power in the hands of a few corporate-owned media outlets.<br />
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Rest of article at <a href="http://www.savetheinternet.com/=threat">http://www.savetheinternet.com/=threat</a>
Losing the Net Neutrality is in fact a major threat on the Vive, or the ability of the media to properly reflect and contribute to the larger lot. Now let's see if we can overcome this on the microcosm with appropriate local actions.
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"We are all in this together somehow, some more than others somehow"