In search of a 'best effort' Internet

Today we propose one alternative that could both maintain net neutrality and solve a looming crisis as more Internet users send and receive bandwidth intensive content. Namely, service providers should offer consumer-centric VPNs with multiple service classes in tandem with equal access to a "best effort" public Internet. The vision we have for this tiered consumer access to select content and applications is similar to the way most enterprises use a mix of public Internet access and VPNs.

For example, an IT manager will seldom provide teleworkers with a private line between SOHO and the corporate headquarters, but will almost always use a private line or IP-VPN connection to connect the corporate offices to a co-location facility running mission-critical applications. In the case of the enterprise, IT managers are willing to pay different rates for connectivity based on the quality of service needed. We believe the logic of this cost-benefit model is especially relevant to mobile Internet access since limited radio spectrum precludes unlimited wireless Internet access capacity, even if service costs didn't matter. And we think a similar model could be successfully offered to consumers with some key differences.

First, the IT manager can usually specify what quality of service metrics are needed and can specify latency, packet loss and other technical requirements. However, the consumer or independent SOHO user would more easily understand service classifications such as "HD Movie Tier" or an "Online Gamer Tier."

Second, few consumers will be able to specify service-level agreements, but they may want to know if they are getting better services when they pay for them, so a consumer-friendly reporting tool would be needed. And while enterprises are increasingly likely to buy or use a premise-based session border controller to better manage IP traffic, service providers will need to come up with an easier and less expensive alternative to classify consumer IP packets based on parameters such as user profiles and service classes.

Third, regulators will need to allow this multi-tiered approach, and in particular the FCC will need to assure any net neutrality regulation does not preclude this option.

Finally, consumers must understand that they are getting a "best effort" Internet today and that if everyone in the neighborhood streams a Netflix video at the same time, all the neighbors will suffer service interruptions. The alternative is to build sufficient Internet access capacity for all users to stream uninterrupted video, but many consumers may find that the rate increase needed to pay for such an upgrade is cost prohibitive -- just like the IT manager finds that the enterprise can't afford to pay for private line connections between the remote teleworkers and corporate office.

In conclusion, we know this newsletter is typically dedicated to discuss news and issues that affect the business user. But we contend that since the public Internet is shared by both businesses and consumers, smart public policy and management of consumer-centric Internet access will profoundly affect business use of the Internet moving forward. And as we did last week, we need to disclose that the opinions presented here may not be shared by Current Analysis (Larry's employer).

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.