Are regulated networks inevitable?
Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes whether it is called "net neutrality" or "fee for service".
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department on Thursday said Internet service providers should be allowed to charge a fee for priority Web traffic.
The agency told the Federal Communications Commission, which is reviewing high-speed Internet practices, that it is opposed to "Net neutrality," the principle that all Internet sites should be equally accessible to any Web user.
It seems that the government will step in one way or the other and the result will be regulated networks.
I think the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" saying applies here. Currently network providers charge bandwidth to companies that host sites that drive that traffic. Those hosting sites charger their users or use advertising to obtain revenue to pay those fees. This is a classic "free market" though there are of course existing regulations for communications networks.
I guarantee you that if the government gets involved their will be subsidies for politically connected users and companies and higher fees for the rest of us. Sadly, government intervention in guise of one side or the other appears inevitable.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department on Thursday said Internet service providers should be allowed to charge a fee for priority Web traffic.
The agency told the Federal Communications Commission, which is reviewing high-speed Internet practices, that it is opposed to "Net neutrality," the principle that all Internet sites should be equally accessible to any Web user.
It seems that the government will step in one way or the other and the result will be regulated networks.
I think the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" saying applies here. Currently network providers charge bandwidth to companies that host sites that drive that traffic. Those hosting sites charger their users or use advertising to obtain revenue to pay those fees. This is a classic "free market" though there are of course existing regulations for communications networks.
I guarantee you that if the government gets involved their will be subsidies for politically connected users and companies and higher fees for the rest of us. Sadly, government intervention in guise of one side or the other appears inevitable.