MoveOn.org is hosting a rally at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, Ca to protest its behind doors deal with Verizon Wireless that may put the future of net neutrality in peril.
MoveOn often advances divisive political protests at the expensive of having a fair dialogue between opposing camps. But in this particular case, much of the public has been left in the dark about their policy framework proposals because meetings between Google and Verizon were held under a veil of secrecy.
The deal essentially prevents wireless providers from honoring open access rules, which is a crucial tenet of network neutrality. The power from disregarding open access rules would enable ISP's to slow access to certain content without consumer consent.
This will almost inevitably lead to a tiered internet system that is predominately controlled by the largest ISPs. With the internet safely monopolized by the likes of Comcast, Google, Verizon, etc. they can tier access and slow access to competitors services, mirroring the cable television model in which consumers pay for bundles of channels rather than having complete access to all the channels.
We lament cable television because access is so hierarchical and consumers have little if any choice about which channels they have access to. On top of that, tiered access also comes with a hefty price to consumers because the highest tiers of access are the most expensive.
Suffice to say, there is a lot at stake with this policy and the fact that deals over network neutrality are being haggled over in the private offices of multinational corporations is quite telling in regards to the regulatory power of the FCC. The FCC has seen its power diminished with budget cutbacks, staffing cutbacks, regulatory capture, and lost court battles.
The chairman of the FCC, Julius Genachowski, has been cited for demanding more concrete guidelines for preserving openness on the internet, but his cries have been distant and muted because many politicians that have been bought by ISPs and cable providers are pressuring the chairman to keep quiet and let the big dogs work out the kinks for guidelines regarding access and openness.
If the protest does little to budge either Verizon or Google, a lengthy court battle could ensure regarding the future of the internet, because the only way to challenge the pact by the service providers would be to file a legal complaint. Since net neutrality advocates are largely grassroots, they would be at a huge disadvantage against the likes of Google or Verizon, which both have a handsome war chest to plunder for a fight in court.
For more of my articles, check out this link: http://www.examiner.com/x-56871-Santa-Barbara-Independent-Examiner
Comments
Google has been such a power. They should offer equal access for consumers. Thanks for making us more aware of the situation.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!