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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Wed May 7, 2014, 07:57 PM May 2014

Internet's biggest names stand up against FCC net neutrality plans

The biggest technology companies in the United States have joined forces to support net neutrality, in a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commision (FCC).

The group includes nearly 140 companies that make up a huge swatch the tech world: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Yahoo, Tumblr, 4chan, Dropbox, Mozilla, Imgur, and more have signed on to challenge a proposal being considered by the FCC that might kill net neutrality as we know it.

“We write to express our support for a free and open internet,” the letter reads. “Over the past twenty years, American innovators have created countless Internet-based applications, content offerings, and services that are used around the world. These innovations have created enormous value for Internet users, fueled economic growth, and made our Internet companies global leaders. The innovation we have seen to date happened in a world without discrimination.”

The letter, which marks the first public defense of net neutrality by huge global companies like Amazon since news of the threat emerged last month, defends the principle that all data should be treated equally by Internet service providers (ISPs).

If approved, the FCC's latest net neutrality propsoal would reportedly allow ISPs to charge edge providers—content companies that use substantial bandwidth, like Google, Netflix, or Skype—"commercially reasonable" rates for broadband "fast lanes" between them and their users.

more

http://www.dailydot.com/politics/net-neutrality-fcc-google-amazon-facebook/

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pangaia

(24,324 posts)
1. WHAT ???
Wed May 7, 2014, 08:04 PM
May 2014

Well, well well.. Hit the big guys where it hurts and, whadda ya know?

Or am I just really naive?

Kablooie

(18,572 posts)
2. So it's the computer industry against the cable and telecommunications industries plus ...
Wed May 7, 2014, 08:22 PM
May 2014

Cato Institute (Koch)
Americans for Tax Reform (Grover Norquist)
Goldwater Institute
Ayn Rand Institute

These are all against Net Neutrality.

Once again the right is fighting for bigger corporate profits over public freedoms.

 

ChisolmTrailDem

(9,463 posts)
3. My web hosting company says the net neutrality issue is based on hysteria...
Wed May 7, 2014, 08:23 PM
May 2014

All the FCC is proposing, according to what my web host says, is to offer companies, like Netflix, that push a lot of bandwidth, a separate express route, a dedicated fast lane, from their datacenters to your ISP, Comcast for instance. Then Comcast delivers the content on to you, the end user.

My web host, whom I hold in high regard in these matters, says the rest of the Internet will stay as is. I tend to believe them because to do what is often described as the intent of the FCC in this matter would surely cause a major revolt. The Internet has become an essential part of our lives as humans because... “Over the past twenty years, American innovators have created countless Internet-based applications, content offerings, and services that are used around the world. These innovations have created enormous value for Internet users, fueled economic growth, and made our Internet companies global leaders. The innovation we have seen to date happened in a world without discrimination.” ...not to mention all the other benefits and uses the Internet presents.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
4. That's what I've heard too. While I think there is a bit of hysteria here, there is too much
Wed May 7, 2014, 08:29 PM
May 2014

money involved not to be somewhat vigilant.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)
5. So you believe bandwidth will just appear out of nowhere?
Wed May 7, 2014, 09:03 PM
May 2014

Just where is this fast lane going to get its bandwidth? If there were a lot of excess capacity then there would be no need to throttle sites, would there?

And "surely cause a major revolt"? Really? Americans can't be bothered to protest against most things, and even when 40,000 protest in DC against Keystone XL, nothing happens. I do not believe it would happen. More likely that there would be a slow decrease in service for the "regular" lane, so that people grow frustrated over time and just use the favored sites.

 

ChisolmTrailDem

(9,463 posts)
7. Where in my post did I say anything about what I believe? I reported what I was told
Wed May 7, 2014, 09:22 PM
May 2014

to me by a rather substantial web hosting company from a person within that company that has never failed me nor has he ever misled me and he has provided exemplary support to me and my web properties for 8 years. He is also the owner of the company and it would probably not be in his best interest to lie to or deceive me. However, I can add that these fast lanes will utilize dark fiber nets. Here is a definition of that technology:

Dark fiber refers to unused fiber-optic cable. Often times companies lay more lines than what's needed in order to curb costs of having to do it again and again. The dark strands can be leased to individuals or other companies who want to establish optical connections among their own locations.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dark+fiber+definition&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb


So, I dunno...I think I'll put my faith in someone who knows the business and whose own business relies on customers who want to access the internet, his well-being, and has an interest in keeping the good reputation and respect the company currently enjoys. So, I guess you could say that that is what I believe.

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