Net Neutrality Links
I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.
Amazon exec: net neutrality necessary because of “little choice” for consumers
In an interview [with ECT News] Amazon VP of Global Public Policy Paul Misener reinforces one of the reasons why we need net neutrality: our (lack of) choice when it comes to broadband. . . .
[ . . .]
By the FCC’s reckoning, that means I have broadband choice here on the northwest side of Chicago. Well, sort of. For cable, my sole choice is Comcast-and that’s what I use, with few service complaints. On the other hand, DSL is not an option for me because of the lousy infrastructure in my over 80-year-old neighborhood and my distance from the DSLAM. Broadband over power lines? Not yet. Citywide WiFi network? A gleam in Mayor Daley’s eye. WiMAX? Some day, maybe. Broadband choice? Not in any coherent sense of the word.
In Misener’s opinion, the lack of choice means net neutrality is a must because if an ISP decides to begin prioritizing certain traffic, consumers don’t have a meaningful alternative.
“[U]ltimately what can they do besides complain? Consumers have little choice when it comes to high speed Internet. If they had more choices of providers, this wouldn’t be such a dangerous situation.”
There are a number of other arguments for net neutrality, including the possibility of ISPs clamping down on traffic that they find objectionable. Misener outlines one such scenario involving a striking union and points out that while such scenarios may seem far fetched, there are no laws in place to prevent it from happening.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE
Good Morning Liz!! It’s dark still, but I can tell it’s beautiful outside!
It’s a rare issue that can unite gigantic corporations with consumers/citizens against a pretty narrow, but apparently powerful selfish industry.
But, the Net Neutrality issue seems to be doing just that. It’s frustrating that we can’t count on our (consumer/citizens) interests being paramount — that it’s likely to be the concerns of the Microsofts/Amazons/Googles/eBays, etc. that win it for us.
Good morning, Katie,
I look out over the lake and all is gray as if it’s raining, but it’s not. Yet the diffused light is lovely!
I’m from a town that had 20,000 people. There were no corporations only people where I grew up. Sometimes I get confused by corporate thinking, when I know that people are runnng the places who think that stuff.
Yeah, it would be nice if it happened more often. It would be nice if it happened for the right reasons.
Dear Liz — This is good:
Well, I guess you would know for sure, but sometimes I wonder if it really is “people” running those places. Because, as you say — “I get confused” — don’t they breath the same air we do? Buy gas? Have a troubled brother that maybe doesn’t always have health coverage?
(Whoops! if I don’t watch out I’ll ‘get started’)
I’m with you, Katie.
Let’s not get started. It is going to be a lovely day indeed! 🙂
(smiling) Yep — Dawn’s here and it does actually look beautiful.
*grinning at the word dawn thinking it’s filled with double meaning*
And all of the children are off to school smiling learning about values that corporations need. 🙂
Amen.