Broadband Update: A call to support "Network neutrality"

Driving into Washington, D.C. this week, a billboard reminded me of a day in March when I had the radio tuned to WTOP 103.5 and I heard a commercial about “Net neutrality” which caused me to turn up the sound. “Net neutrality” is an issue that has been around for years. But the increased publicity seems to be fueled by broadband providers’ fears of losing exclusive control over a digital gold mine.

Here’s the background. Net neutrality legislation has been introduced in the House (H.R. 5353, H.R. 5994) and the Senate (S. 215).

Here in Washington D.C., the Obama administration proposed rules that would prevent Internet service providers (ISPs) from slowing the connections of certain companies, competitors and content providers. No more traffic discrimination could mean an economic boon for technology startups and software application developers, who could expand their workforce by hiring from our communities.

Most people aren’t aware that traffic discrimination exists. But search the Internet, and you’ll easily find cases. For example, Apple was reportedly rejecting signals from Google Voice at some point. AT&T was involved in a controversy for banning Skype's (www.skype.com) Internet-phone service for the iPhone.

Under the "Net neutrality" regulations, giants such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon would have to allow equal amounts of Internet access without charging premiums for access to larger allocations of bandwidth. Fortunately, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has deemed the practice unfair to those who wish to use what might be considered data-intensive programs and technologies (such as those required for Smart Grid).

If you want to have a clearer idea of what’s going on, follow the battle between Google, Inc. and AT&T. (And if you like to gamble, this might be a good bet. I would not be surprised if someone starts taking wagers for who will be the winner of the battle between AT&T Inc. and Google Inc. over the future of the Internet.)

Google is the powerhouse of Silicon Valley. AT&T is the champion for the old-line phone industry. Both are marshaling political allies, lobbyists and labor unions for a fight over proposed network neutrality rules that could affect billions of dollars in investments needed to upgrade and expand the U.S. broadband network.

The majority of the FCC commissioners support this measure. This includes the new commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat and the daughter of Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.). Clyburn was nominated to the commission by President Obama. A source close to the commissioner has reported “Commissioner Clyburn sees transparency and an open Internet across all platforms as key for consumers to know what kinds of services they receive."
 

But the outcome isn’t clear. “Net neutrality” is being aggressively fought. AT&T recommended that the FCC should just institute some broad principles and rely on a team of outside experts to help it decide when egregious discrimination occurs. Many Republicans are also against it, mostly on the grounds that it’s government intervention and “onerous federal regulation.” Senator McCain has introduced another bill, the Internet Freedom Act of 2009, that he hopes would keep the FCC from enforcing its new rules on ISPs.
 

Amongst the things I learned during more than ten years working at the grassroots lobbying firm Bonner & Associates, politics is local. AT&T lobbyists have been particularly active in this regard, swarming Capitol Hill and state houses, prompting a bipartisan mix of governors, congressmen and senators to send worried letters to the FCC. Google tactics include galvanizing letters of support from dozens of technology-company CEOs and venture capitalists.
 

On the pro “Net neutrality” side, there are now over 24 major companies and social media sites, such as Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google and Sony, which are all part of the Open Internet Coalition. The Coalition sent a letter to the FCC expressing support for an open Internet.
 
The issue has a long history and has set off a series of regulatory procedures, but fortunately a complete adoption and enforcement could become part of reality by the end of 2010.

Although my opinion of Google is usually good, I really respect their strategy on finalizing this issue. The strategy includes an Opportunity Access Network formula;

(More Participants + More Competition) – Discrimination = More revenue for ALL

During various stages of Digital Media Literacy program sponsored by the Shaw Community Ministry, I’ve witnessed strong support for “Net Neutrality” from both youth and adult members. They want telephone and cable companies to deliver all traffic equally, so carriers can't get in the way of offering them high-definition content (i.e. TV shows or movies) on YouTube or media services like Google Voice, Apps, Maps, etc.
 

In fact, small businesses and non-profits throughout the eight Wards of Washington D.C. are concerned about how large carriers will prioritize network traffic and how content (data, voice, and video) will be treated ahead of time. That way someone like me, a Chief Technology Officer of an expanding small business, won’t be negatively impacted by future unpleasant surprises – such as discovering, for example, a new socio-economic interactive web portal created by formerly incarcerated staff won't actually work on the Time Warner, Comcast or Cox systems.
 

In the name of transparency and competition, why would it be so difficulty for carriers to make public the way they manage traffic on their network? If carriers are involved in unfair practices, how does anyone know they aren't singling out technologies that might compete with their own services without over-sight and regulation?
For more information visit the FCC created website: www.openInternet.gov. This is a good way to join the discussions about a major issue facing the future of the Broadband Internet. Public opinion is always welcome, in hopes of getting the thoughts and ideas of consumers like you and me.
 

Please share your comments or send an email to patrick@metamorftech.com so we can work together to keep the Internet a place where everyone is included in the process and has an equal voice.