NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Re: Google / Verizon "net neutrality" conference call complete - quick summary
Reading http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/09/live-blogging-google-verizon-call-o n-net-neutrality/ I find the whole thing problematic with Google ceding the network to Verizon so it can use its network to sell services. Therefore, our proposal would allow broadband providers to offer additional, differentiated online services, in addition to the Internet access and video services (such as Verizon's FIOS TV) offered Once you accept the idea that Verizon gets first dibs at the entire infrastructure what does it mean to be "neutral"? What is a "Internet access service"? It's nothing but business as usual with a dollop of Internet on the side of Verizon's private network. We haven't addressed the fundamental problem that you can't make money selling bits if there are too many bits and you can't fund the infrastructure by selling services unless the service provider has an unfair advantage in offering services on their network. -----Original Message----- From: nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=bobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org [mailto:nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=bobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org] On Behalf Of Lauren Weinstein Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 14:18 To: nnsquad@nnsquad.org Subject: [ NNSquad ] Google / Verizon "net neutrality" conference call complete - quick summary A joint (very short notice) conference call between the Google and Verizon CEOs has completed. Very brief nutshell from my notes: 1) The firms vigorously deny that they made any carriage or related deals. They declared recent reporting to the contrary to be totally wrong. 2) The firms set forth a "Joint Policy Agreement" including seven principles that they would like to see broadly implemented. 3) Of the seven principles, I view five of them as entirely noncontroversial. 4) Principle #6 on different handling of wireline and wireless data invokes some issues that need to be discussed. 5) Principle #5 on the creation of "non-Internet" differentiated services (which Google's CEO pledged not to use) appears significantly problematic in a number of respects, and was (appropriately) the focus of virtually all questions on the call. Google has posted the principles at: http://bit.ly/cpO0bU (Google Public Policy Blog) I'll write up my thoughts on all this in more detail as soon as possible. --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator