Google & Verizon Sign Net Neutrality Agreement?

[SEGA]

Google and Verizon sign net neutrality agreement, begin the end of net neutrality?

By Tim Stevens posted Aug 5th 2010 at 7:36AM

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It's been a bumpy road for net neutrality in the US, and the latest word on the subject, of a partnership between Verizon and Google, could result in American internet freedom taking one step forward and two steps back. Last year, the two companies said together that they were all for net neutrality regardless of the source being a traditional or wireless ISP. Now, according to Bloomberg, they may have changed their tune somewhat, striking a deal that, up front, prevents Verizon from gimping traffic it doesn't like on its DSL and FiOS networks.

That sounds good, but according to Politico the deal still allows Verizon to "prioritize certain traffic" -- more or less defeating the whole purpose if true. More troublingly, Verizon is able to do whatever it wants when it comes to managing wireless broadband, through mobile hotspots or, indeed, the plethora of Android handsets it now offers. Mind you, neither company is coming forward to discuss these supposed plans (Google saying it has "nothing to announce at this point") so this could all be much ado about nothing. We certainly hope it is, especially since we're talking about two companies who last year pledged they wanted to "ensure the openness of the web around the world."

Bloomberg, Politico

GigaOm

 

[hookbill]

Moved to news area.

 

[Moreno]

If they want more user freedom by having less Government involvement, why do they want to add more internet regulations or Net Neutrality.

 

[Moreno]

Also, does this mean that ISP's will be forced to serve area's where their is no service currently? and upgrade area's that have Dial-up to Highspeed Internet?

 

[Wavefunction]

This doesn't make sense to me. It's in google's best interest to promote network neutrality, they have even voiced that! remember, back in the '08 election?
this doesn't sound like google at all

 

[chucklesjh]

Alright Verizon, now how about you stop blocking port 4444 and start being net neutral.

My school uses port 4444 for some scheduling and financial aid bullcrap on their website and Verizon blocks it. I have to tell people to log into our VPN to get it to work, my job sucks.

 

[GodfatherIP]

If they want more user freedom by having less Government involvement, why do they want to add more internet regulations or Net Neutrality.

Net Neutrality does give users the most freedom. It basically means that your ISP can't limit your bandwidth based on what you are browsing. Without net neutrality an ISP could specifically limit your bandwith for certain activities for example peer-2-peer sharing. With net neutrality if you pay for 1.5Mbps then you should get 1.5Mbps regardless of whether you are checking e-mail, streaming video, p2p sharing, playing an online game, or anything else. Most of the ISPs want to be able to control your bandwidth as they choose and thus are against net neutrality, which is why it was cool that Verizon and Google claimed they would support net neutrality. Unfortunately it looks like they were just blowing smoke as a PR move and now Verizon wants full control over their wireless traffic.

 

[GodfatherIP]

Also, does this mean that ISP's will be forced to serve area's where their is no service currently? and upgrade area's that have Dial-up to Highspeed Internet?

Net neutrality doesn't force them to build up their infrastructure more, it just means if you are paying for a certain speed you should get that speed regardless of what online activity you happen to be doing. It doesn't require them to offer high speed to everyone it just prevents them from throttling your internet speed when you are doing things they don't like for example p2p sharing.

 

[Bowtie]

Google is now denying they have agreed to this.
Google and Verizon sign net neutrality agreement, begin the end of net neutrality? (update: Google denies claims) -- Engadget

 

[TheOldFart]

FCC calls off net neutrality talks. - WSJ

FCC Calls Off Net Neutrality Talks - WSJ.com

 

[compywiz]

Yeah can the OP please update the thread?