[kictanet] New debate in US & UK on two-tier Internet - is this a good idea for Africa?

Sat Sep 8 13:54:53 EAT 2007

Hi Judy,

Perhaps some more background info could assist?

---
[WWWhatsup NYC -(ISOC New York Chapter)]

JUST DEPT WARY OF "NET NEUTRALITY" PROPOSALS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
Antitrust authorities at the U.S. Justice Department
on Thursday warned regulators against imposing
"network neutrality" regulations that would bar
broadband Internet service companies from charging
extra to some content providers. In comments submitted
to the Federal Communications Commission, the
department said some net neutrality proposals "could
deter broadband Internet providers from upgrading and
expanding their networks to reach more Americans."
"Regulators should be careful not to impose
regulations that could limit consumer choice and
investment in broadband facilities," the department's
antitrust chief, Thomas Barnett, said in a statement.
The department said proponents of the Internet
regulation had failed to show that many consumers had
been harmed in a way that would justify government
intervention. It said there was nothing unusual about
the practice of setting different levels of service
and pricing, citing as an example the various mail
options offered by the U.S. Postal Service. "These
differentiated products respond to market demand and
expand consumers' choice," the department said.
Advocates of the network neutrality idea criticized
the department's conclusions, saying regulations were
needed because many consumers had little or no choice
of broadband providers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN0634185620070906
* See Dept of Justice press release
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/September/07_at_682.html
* Justice Dept. against ‘Net neutrality’ (Associated
Press)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20625194/
* Bush Administration Takes Aim at Network Neutrality
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6476120.html?rssid=193
* Justice Department: Net neutrality regulations
aren't necessary
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9773240-7.html
* A (Net neutrality) solution in sight?
Harvard law professor Timothy Wu argues that the
merger agreement between AT&T and BellSouth, forged by
the FCC in January this year, might offer the basis
for a Network Neutrality solution.
http://www.telecomasia.net/article.php?id_article=5627
* Justice Department Opposes 'Net Neutrality'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118913530798720424.html?mod=todays_us_marketplace
* Net neutrality hopes hit by DoJ criticism
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/72aa6548-5cc3-11dc-9cc9-0000779fd2ac.html
* Justice Dept. Opposes Network Neutrality
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090602560.html
-- Reaction --
* Rep Ed Markey (D-MA)
"The Bush administration’s decision to oppose Internet
Freedom flies in the face of the open nature of the
Internet, which has fostered unprecedented innovation
and economic growth. Network neutrality safeguards
would preserve the open architecture of the Internet
and prevent companies from downgrading and
discriminating against competitive Internet services
and applications."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3073&Itemid=141
* Media Access Project:
"It would seem that the President and the Justice
Department cannot do enough for AT&T and the other
companies that agreed to spy on the American people.
Without network neutrality, companies are free to turn
over user information without a warrant or block users
from desired content  as AT&T recently did
‘accidentally’ by blocking Pearl Jam’s criticism of
the President during a concert performance carried on
AT&T’s broadband service."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/2007-09-06-DOJ-NNResponse.pdf
* Public Knowledge:
"[The Dept of Justice filing] is at odds with reality
for a Justice Department that approved the largest
telecommunications merger in history with a mere press
release to now claim that market forces and antitrust
enforcement will be able to protect the free and open
Internet."
http://feeds.publicknowledge.org/~r/publicknowledge-releases/~3/153005265/1174
* Our Disgraceful Internet Policy
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1177

----------------------------------------------------------
WWWhatsup NYC
http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com
----------------------------------------------------------

--- Judy Okite <judyokite at gmail.com> wrote:

> Werner, what does this mean 'should be allowed to
> charge for priority
> traffic?' is it that they dont charge at all,for any
> traffic? Kind
> Regards,
> 
> On 9/8/07, Marcel Werner <marcelcwerner at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Two tier Internet
> >
> > *The US Justice Department has said that internet
> service providers should
> > be allowed to charge for priority traffic.
> >
> > *The Justice Department said imposing net
> neutrality regulations could
> > hinder development of the internet and prevent
> ISPs from upgrading
> > networks.The agency's stance is contrary to much
> of the internet
> > community that
> > believes in an open model for the internet. Net
> neutrality advocates argue
> > that a two-tier internet would allow broadband
> providers to become
> > gatekeepers to the web's content. Providers that
> can pay will be able to get
> > a commercial advantage over those that cannot,
> they say. In particular,
> > there is a fear that institutions like
> universities and charities would
> > suffer. Last year, Sir Tim Berners-Lee the
> inventor of the web rallied
> > against the idea of a two-tier internet.
> >
> > What are your ideas?
> >
> > Marcel Werner
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Judy Ann Okite,
> +254-721237507,+254-734252336
> P.O. BOX 2228 00100,
> NAIROBI,KENYA.
> 
> 
> "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still
> get run over if you
> just sit there."
> 
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