[Hidden-tech] Network neutrality

[Tom Goldsmith]

If anyone is wondering if network providers would 
dare to restrict services based on what the user 
wishes to use bandwidth for, just try signing up for 
Verizon's EVDO portable web service.  (Marketed as 
"VZAccess, EVDO is a very promising wireless  --read 
cell-phone technology based-- service now rolling 
out nationally.)  

As I remember it, the "fine print" on the face of the 
agreement you sign to get this service asks you to 
agree not to use it for VoIP.  And seems to reserve 
the right to retaliate if you don't cooperate.  
(Since I'm out of town right now, and relying on EVDO, 
I'm pretty reluctant to test their policing.  But my 
imagination suggests to me this big provider could 
make me deeply regret an experiment.  So I'll be 
using my cell phone, not VoIP to make phone calls 
today.)  

What's lacking, of course, is any resource-consumption 
based restriction on usage (which a network provider 
might suggest).  For example an extra charge or warning 
for exceeding some megabytes-per-hour threshold within 
a 24-hour period.  Or for using large bursts of 
priority-geared capacity during peak hours.  (I've 
noticed Verizon Wireless can have big-time problems 
delivering enough capacity at certain times per day.  
e.g., it can be hard to maintain voice quality around 
five PM some days, presumably because too many commuters 
in cars get on their phones and take up capacity.)  

Nope, Verizon Wireless simply says:  
 
    "No.  VoIP is not allowed over our airwaves".  

The day I see these big players at least suggest that 
hoggish capacity-use is not welcome at peak hours.  Or 
should be paid for by the needing-user, I'll believe 
there is some possibility of network neutrality being 
respected by entrenched, capital-strong, big-players.  

But until I see a "specifications-based" approach to 
capacity-usage I'll be suspicious of the providers' 
motives.  

Indeed, arguing in capacity-usage terms might even 
encourage the VoIP development community to get 
better at rationing band-width consumption.  And 
letting the user decide (in a more flexible way than 
is possible now) under what circumstances good voice-
quality, or (alternatively) just-getting-through, 
would be preferred.  

Yes, this is political.  And may be at the heart of 
how communication services survive or thrive in the 
future.  

Tom Goldsmith 

-----Original Message-----
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net]On Behalf Of Reva
Reck
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 11:23 AM
To: Hidden Tech
Subject: [Hidden-tech] Network neutrality


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Hi all,
	I'm not sure to what extent political discussions are allowed on this 
list, but there's a political debate going on now that affects all of us 
in the high tech community, so I thought I'd raise the issue here.

The following is an excerpt from a message I received from MoveOn.org:

"Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to 
gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality 
prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you 
based on which site pays AT&T more. Amazon doesn't have to outbid Barnes 
& Noble for the right to open more properly on your computer."

There's a lot more to the message, but I'd just like to suggest that 
people check out this issue on MOveOn's website and any others you rely 
on for this kind of information. This sounds like something that could 
really hurt small high-tech businesses, not to mention threatening our 
freedom of information.   -Reva
-- 

________________________________

Reva Reck
(978) 544-3911
reva at revareck.com
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