Information super-highway is gridlocked
Eric Hasenjager
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Opinion
On Oct. 22, the Federal Communication Commission revealed its plans to Congress for the Internet Freedom Act of 2009. This piece of legislation adds several new principles that expand internet freedoms. Many are calling it "net neutrality." According to the plan, the FCC states:
"A provider of broadband Internet access service must treat lawful content, applications, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner. A provider of broadband Internet access service must disclose such information concerning network management and other practices as is reasonably required for users and content, application, and service providers to enjoy the protections specified in this rulemaking."
What this means is Internet service providers would have to be up-front about the way they handle their Internet operations. This would include advertising the speeds used (not just estimates.) Also, they would not throttle those that stream online content, like from Netflix or Hulu. Throttling is a big issue that continues to hinder the efficiency of our current Internet model.
The major ISP's like Time Warner, Comcast and AT&T are preventing the U.S. from reaching ideal Internet speeds. In fact, when it comes to internet, we are ranked 28th in download speed. If you live in a small rural area, your options of a broadband provider are extremely limited. A lot of the problems that stem from large companies controlling a region of the area. There is no room for small companies to try and offer a better product. The base problem is the lack of competition when it comes to owning land lines.
Land lines are the cables that these companies own and operate. They have no incentive to lay down faster cables for their customers. It's either the mega corporations like Time Warner, or going to your grandmother's house and using her 56k high-speed computer. It does not seem right for the major ISP's to charge as much as they do, and perform as little a service they can. Limited options and unsatisfied customer service is why the FCC finally has decided to take action.
"A provider of broadband Internet access service must treat lawful content, applications, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner. A provider of broadband Internet access service must disclose such information concerning network management and other practices as is reasonably required for users and content, application, and service providers to enjoy the protections specified in this rulemaking."
What this means is Internet service providers would have to be up-front about the way they handle their Internet operations. This would include advertising the speeds used (not just estimates.) Also, they would not throttle those that stream online content, like from Netflix or Hulu. Throttling is a big issue that continues to hinder the efficiency of our current Internet model.
The major ISP's like Time Warner, Comcast and AT&T are preventing the U.S. from reaching ideal Internet speeds. In fact, when it comes to internet, we are ranked 28th in download speed. If you live in a small rural area, your options of a broadband provider are extremely limited. A lot of the problems that stem from large companies controlling a region of the area. There is no room for small companies to try and offer a better product. The base problem is the lack of competition when it comes to owning land lines.
Land lines are the cables that these companies own and operate. They have no incentive to lay down faster cables for their customers. It's either the mega corporations like Time Warner, or going to your grandmother's house and using her 56k high-speed computer. It does not seem right for the major ISP's to charge as much as they do, and perform as little a service they can. Limited options and unsatisfied customer service is why the FCC finally has decided to take action.
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