Interesting topic making it's rounds in politics and technology. It looks like the FCC is proposing regulation prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing Internet content and applications. Republicans introduced the "Internet Freedom Act" which is silly as it should be called the "big businesses controlled rather than government controlled internet act"

From a political standpoint I'm especially curious how independents and or libertarians feel about government regulation or businesses controlling how we access the internet or how smaller business e-commerce sites could be effected?

PC World Article

R_Flagg

As my knee jerks I say stop FCC (gov't) regulation.

R, i guess when it comes down to it i would give a private channel-broadband providers- the right to choose it's content. As far as news media goes that favors the 80% of companies that 'cover' for liberal entities ! I still deplore the pass given to left side interests and the damage it does to the supposed objectivity of news organizations.

Tangential but OT I suppose. NOW, I know in some areas private companies can make decisions that UNFAIRLY hose customers. As in Health insurance companies denying coverage of an incident.(Side jumping back to healthcare,) I want customers/insured people to have unencumbered rights to appeal decisions to make sure a policyholder(patient) can redress and overturn an insurer's denial of coverage and show that that denial is unwarranted.I want that right to redress to be simple to do and not cost the agreived patient having to hire expensive attorneys, etc. I want Insurance denials to be simply and inexpensively challenged !!  That would include the right to have an initial appeal determination appealed a second time to be sure the patient is not screwed. 

Hmmm, "neutrality" huh?  I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the practical application of neutrality.  Is it akin to the Swiss position in WWI and WWII? 

Must be a good thing.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

sort of related...In our area AT&T has convinced local gov't to help them seize private property for easements to add new AT&T broadband infrastructure (basically placing 8x12' switchboxes in peoples small urban backyards).  I'd be freakin' pissed if this were my backyard.  I'd be doubly pissed if AT&T didn't share this faster capability.  I get my internets through a small local ISP, and AT&T shares it's dsl lines so far (although is not super responsive for technical problems). 

Bio, I'm with you, this sounds like crap. I know back east the phone/electric companies have big poles located on the so called "government strip" about 2 feet wide between the curb or edge of the road and the sidewalk. But they are not on the property proper, if you will. And the phone and electric lines that lead to your house are only there because you want phone/electric service. If not -no lines accross your property.

To place an 8 foot by 12 foot box on the property owner's back yard is not acceptable. If the government makes these boxes on private property mandatory that is an outrage IMO. Government eminent domain does not apply here IMO. Even if the owners' are paid for the installations they must not be placed involuntarily. AT & T should buy property for these boxes.
Placing them on empty land on hills would be best. If they work out easment fee arrangements with the owner, in effect leasing the land the boxes sit on, that would be ok if voluntary and not disturbing a neighbor's property with the boxes proximity.

Let us know how this works out.

Anyway I have Verizon ;)

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/30/now-showing-comcast-previews-a-world-without-net-neutrality/

R_Flagg

...stay tuned for the counterpoint to RFlagg's point.  It will be neutral, of course.  Oy vey, the insanity that reigns.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

This fellow probably could have used OSF's help as well.

If the Dems were eager to get something passed it would've already been done. I'm guessing there's enough companies with hands in both parties' pockets that will hinder these kinds of laws - not just the GOP.

Jordan .

A deal is in the works for Comcast to take majority owneship of General Electric's current ownership of NBC Universal.

Just adding to the mix.

Raymond - i was gonna post the same article. :)

The reality is that we need to be more concerned with the notion that the FCC is considering adding the Internet to its "portfolio of regulated industries." Once govt thinks it has the power to control the Internet, then we're all screwed - regardless of political persuasion.

I think WikiLeaks is the beginning of that. We have the US govt calling this guy a terrorist and traitor - sounds like the same rhetoric against the NY Times published things during Bush's term about the war. But the rhetoric (and the damage) is much greater than what the NY Times did then. The fallout with WikiLeaks combined with the FCC trying to regulate the Internet will be quite interesting in the coming months.

Jordan .

The Dems never had enough votes with Rep opposition to Net Neutrality, just saying. The broadband lobby now knows with a Rep controlled house they no longer have to worry about it coming up again in legislation which is probably why Comcast waited until now to hike rates for content providers. I think the FCC now feels mandated to regulate things since Netflix and Concast are direct competitors for on demand content. So no regulation would mean that large broadband companies such as Comcast, who already have a monopoly as service providers, would have an unfair advantage over content as well.  I guess if consumers don't like choice and want only a few companies to control internet content then no regulation is a good thing.

The funny thing is  that most people I know are really mad a Netflix and are going to cancel their accounts, etc, but really have no idea what goes on behind the scenes.

R_Flagg

Jordan is the expert on Netfix and just as a sidebar I sold most of my position --I was lucky to get the pic from a 'natural' at growth stocks. ' The Call ' I call him and extend my thanks ! Top Rated @                            Raymond Private Wealth L L C. 

I got out last week. Too much beta for me at my age : )