[ NNSquad ] Re: nnsquad Digest, Vol 2, Issue 213

[Mike Kiely <Mike.kiely@pnsol.com>]

The discourse in Issue 213,  highlights to me the need for Net 
neutrality debate to include a definition and policy as to the precise 
nature and minimum properties for Broadband connectivity.  The call for 
service transparency and better labelling,  must also answer the 
question, well just how 'critical' is this service compared to others?

As telephone and cable companies move to all IP infrastructure called 
NGNs,  there must be a temptation to keep Internet connectivity at an 
ill defined best efforts,  while they get on with desigining more secure 
and carrier grade services for conferencing and other 'value added' real 
time services. A bad example of the latter  includes the POTS service 
which is hogging (forgive the prejudice) the first 256kbps of the 
potential of the line I am renting.  A more pertinent example might be 
the use of classes of service in the NGN transport layer,  where 
internet traffic could be classed below that of other services, with 
more loss and delay,  a data service. I would even suggest that the full 
multi-media communications potential of the internet will be inhibited 
by keeping our Broadband connectivity just as it is.

The labelling and definition of service has one other benefit.  It would 
need to include detail on how our service would behave, or how it would 
degrade when congested.  By pushing for this transparency the user can 
then decide how to use that potential by setting his own priorities.  
The FCC's action to stop Comcast blocking P2P also has the smack of  
'best efforts' law making in the absense of a proper definition of 
service.  The law makers need assistence from policy makers in stating 
de-facto that achieving the best internet connectivity is as fundamental 
in the 21st century as achieving a universal phone service in the 20th 
century.

In the UK,  Broadband access is built on top of the phone service.  It,  
not broadband access to the internet has the critical infrastructure 
status.  This does needs to flip if we are to get a 21st century network 
worthy of the name!

Mike Kiely
http://www.bbbritain.co.uk