Net Neutrality takes a hit

By Tim Greene, NetworkWorld.com, 06/29/06

Congress has taken another step toward shooting down network neutrality, albeit a baby step that still leaves the issue subject to change.

The Senate committee reviewing the proposed law recommended against provisions to restrict service providers from charging more to Web content providers that want their content to be delivered quickly.

This is essential to providers of real time services such as voice and video, so it could have an impact on these developing businesses.

Yesterday's vote is a baby step because the full Senate still has to vote on the proposal and could reject it or change it.

The issue has become partisan - the committee vote was split exactly between Republicans and Democrats with Republicans in favor - so it may have more trouble in the full Senate, where it needs 60 votes to succeed.

The measure is opposed by many large content providers, but ought to concern smaller businesses that have any Web presence for which rapid serving of information is essential. Keeping e-commerce sites running fast enough, for example, so customers don't give up or transactions don't time out, may require higher priced services in the future if the provision prevails.

Those who don't trust network providers fear that without net neutrality in place, they could wield the power to effectively block content at their own whim via degraded service. Providers say this is ridiculous because purposely sabotaging customers' businesses would be catastrophic for their own business.

Some lawmakers say net neutrality is controversial enough to sink the larger telecom bill that it is attached to.

Back to Convergence / VoIP Notes

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