Broadband News
News, views and analysis
Net neutrality talks fail as Google and Verizon carve a private deal
10 Aug 2010 | 11.09 Europe/London
FCC negotiations with ISPs and broadband campaigners have broken down after it emerged there was no common consensus on net neutrality.
At the same time, it has emerged, Google and Verizon have come to a private arrangement which enshrines most of the principles of net neutrality but not for wireless communications.
Opinion is divided on how much of an impact the agreement had on the negotiations but most commentators agree two of the most powerful names in the American broadband industry coming to a private agreement has at least some affect on negotiations drawing to an end at the FCC.
Certainly FCC Commissioner Michael J Copps believe the bi-party arrangement undermines the watchdog’s attempts to build an industry-wide consensus.
“Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward. That’s one of its many problems. It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations.”
Mobile broadband exception
The Google and Verizon agreement upholds the principle that people should be given unfettered access to legal content and applications of their choice, but insists that mobile’s limited bandwidth makes it a special case. Hence, under the agreement, a mobile broadband provider, ie Verizon, can shape traffic and even bar access to some applications, should it choose. Top of the list to be barred, many will fear, will be Skype and other VoIP applications providing low cost or free calls over Wi-Fi.
FCC next step
The breakdown of talks between the ISPs and the FCC leaves the future uncertain with the FCC believed to be considering a pause before taking its next course of action. A possible move might be to seek permission from Congress to extend the powers the body already has over telecommunications in to the broadband market.
This would signal the end of the process of seeking extra powers through consultation in favour of legislation.
At the same time, it has emerged, Google and Verizon have come to a private arrangement which enshrines most of the principles of net neutrality but not for wireless communications.
Opinion is divided on how much of an impact the agreement had on the negotiations but most commentators agree two of the most powerful names in the American broadband industry coming to a private agreement has at least some affect on negotiations drawing to an end at the FCC.
Certainly FCC Commissioner Michael J Copps believe the bi-party arrangement undermines the watchdog’s attempts to build an industry-wide consensus.
“Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward. That’s one of its many problems. It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations.”
Mobile broadband exception
The Google and Verizon agreement upholds the principle that people should be given unfettered access to legal content and applications of their choice, but insists that mobile’s limited bandwidth makes it a special case. Hence, under the agreement, a mobile broadband provider, ie Verizon, can shape traffic and even bar access to some applications, should it choose. Top of the list to be barred, many will fear, will be Skype and other VoIP applications providing low cost or free calls over Wi-Fi.
FCC next step
The breakdown of talks between the ISPs and the FCC leaves the future uncertain with the FCC believed to be considering a pause before taking its next course of action. A possible move might be to seek permission from Congress to extend the powers the body already has over telecommunications in to the broadband market.
This would signal the end of the process of seeking extra powers through consultation in favour of legislation.