Tech Manufacturers Rally Against Net Neutrality 222
An anonymous reader writes "Producers of networking hardware such as Motorola, Corning, and Tyco have come out against Net Neutrality. They support the current senate communications bill, and urge immediate action. 'Don't be confused by these spurious complaints about Net neutrality,' Tim Regan, a vice president with fiber optic cable manufacturer Corning Inc., said. 'Net neutrality is a solution in search of a problem.'" From the article: "Supporters say the Senate measure, which was approved by a committee vote in June but has since gotten hung up chiefly over Net neutrality, is crucial because it would make it easier for new video service providers--such as telephone companies hoping to roll out IPTV--to enter the market, increase competition for cable, and thus spur lower prices. Among other benefits, they say, it would also permit municipalities to offer their own broadband services."
They're right (Score:4, Interesting)
Apple "iTV" and the handwriting on the wall (Score:5, Interesting)
The whole tiered Internet thing is based on the fact that they want to differentiate these "new" services from what we think of as the Internet right now (e-mail, web pages, etc.). They want to break up the current pricing structures so that they can charge more for certain bits.
They last thing that telcos/cable-cos want is to become generic bit pipes. If moving bits around becomes just another commoditized service (like deregulated electric in some places), then they'll have to compete on price and customer service. Competing on price impacts profits, and competing on customer service...well, I've been a customer of GTE/Verizon, Southwestern Bell, and AT&T at different times and if I were them, I'd be scared of competing based on customer satisfaction.
Re:They're right (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:What about telcos? (Score:3, Interesting)
Adding value to the Internet lowers its value. (Score:2, Interesting)
No regulation... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:What about telcos? (Score:4, Interesting)
The link is a map showing cities that have setup municipal broadband access BECAUSE the laws were defeated in many states.
Not that I want my Internet service coming from the government. I'm sure my civil rights would be a top priority for the bureaucrats when the NSA comes looking for my data from the city government!
Think about it, Smaller less intrusive government is the solution. Big governement has no business regulating the Internet in the first place. Without the guaranteed monopoly, I would probably have 4 fiber lines running to my house providing me with 10-20 service plans. Other countries are getting 100Mb service, what has kept the US free market from doing the same?
Google? (Score:3, Interesting)
WTF (Score:4, Interesting)
Did I read this wrong? Some municipalities already offer their own broadband services. I know this because I'm "Broadband Services Coordinator" at a municipal utility. So I ask.. WTF?
Municipalities? (Score:1, Interesting)
You mean, like the Town of Norwood does now [norwoodlight.com] (and has been doing for years?)
What on earth does net neutrality have to do with whether municipalities offer broadband?
The Town of Norwood has had municipal electric power (and has for the better part of a century). They do a pretty good job. They didn't have much trouble convincing the Selectmen that poles are poles, trucks are trucks, and customer service is customer service... and that if they could do a good job on power wiring they could do a good job on broadband wiring.
Norwood Light Broadband and Comcast compete in Norwood, and an unscientific survey suggests that they have roughly comparable numbers of customers.
Re:What about telcos? (Score:3, Interesting)
Example: like, the stifling of innovation on the Internet due to "pay-to-play" schemes in which every ISP is it's own version of the Chinese government.
Another example: the collapse of Iraq into sectarian violence and increased Iranian influence.