NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Reed: FCC Order on Comcast - a good job
(Guarding the standards-making process -- and these particular standards, which by their general purpose nature not only make possible the full diversity of applications that the Internet platform supports, but also make possible the flexible development of standards in itself -- is a critical line of attack in assuring "net neutrality." The DPS Project is distinct and derives a considerable part of its strength and appeal because of its addressing and recognizing this approach and concern: http://www.dpsproject.com -- Seth) -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FCC Order on Comcast - a good job (FCC decision link corrected) Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:23:13 -0400 From: "David P. Reed" <dpreed@reed.com> To: Seth Johnson <seth.johnson@RealMeasures.dyndns.org> Friends - I just posted this on my blog, regarding the FCC opinion and order about Comcast RST injection. Feel free to send a pointer to it to anyone interested The comment I sent to the Commissioners is also linked there. -David P. Reed ---------------------------------- Permalink: http://www.reed.com/blog-dpr/?p=12 FCC Order on Comcast - a good job <http://www.reed.com/blog-dpr/?p=12> The FCC today issued its formal opinion and order in regard to Comcast?s degrading of P2P and other traffic using DPI and RST injection <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-183A1.doc>. Of course, I?ve been very interested in this, especially since I was asked by the Commission to testify as a witness at the en banc hearing at Harvard Law School in February. After reading the order this morning, I felt like commending the FCC - so I filed a formal comment with the FCC, and I posted it on my site <http://www.reed.com/blog-dpr/?page_id=10> as well. The decision is a good decision for the Internet. In short here?s why: The decision shows that the agency understands the importance of the technological principles of the Internet?s design. The Internet is a /world-wide system that does not belong to any one operator/, whether providing access lines or backbone transport. The design of the Internet Protocols specifies clear limits on what operators can and cannot do to Internet Protocol datagrams when those operators are acting as part of the Internet. Not obeying those limits poses a serious risk to the continued success of the world-wide Internet. Happily, the FCC recognized and exposed Comcast?s transgressions of those limits. Though Internet design is not a law, the Commission?s order respects the importance of that design, and rejects Comcast?s misbehavior and deception in applying technologies that go against the principles of that design.