Two new allies in net neutrality fight!

by: matt

Wed Dec 06, 2006 at 20:04:06 PM EST

Google, Yahoo! and eBay are pushing for provisions to prevent cable providers, which also offer Internet and phone services, from discriminating against Web traffic based on which sites pay them the most.

Sikkema described the fight over the concept known as net neutrality as "World War III."

"It can't be resolved," said Sikkema, who opposes net neutrality because he thinks Google and other Web sites, not consumers, should pay costs to run video-sharing Web sites like YouTube.

"Double or triple charging is neither good for the Internet nor is it good for the consumer," Yang said. Groups backing Google include the Michigan Catholic Conference, which testified that the bill would stifle free speech and the Internet's democratic nature. (emphasis added)

Net neutrality is just plain common sense. You pay for certain bandwidth and/or speed from your carrier, cable/phone/or other provider, and should be able to send, access and/or go wherever you want.

We pay taxes or tolls for our roads. Just think if the transportation department could tell you that only Fords and Toyota’s are NOT allowed on this road, with out their customers paying an additional toll or the manufacturer paying it for you, thereby forcing them to increase the price of their vehicle when they sell it to you...while GM and Honda get to drive on these roads.

Bandwidth/speed is the equivalent of a “weight limit” on the roads. Those who want basic service pay a “normal” license fee and “gas tax” for the use of the roads and drive our cars and SUVs accordingly. Those who need high speed or “heavier truck” loads, pay for more bandwidth or speed to suite their needs.

But I think it’s outrageous for government and/or profit making companies to now come in and argue they should not ONLY charge you for bandwidth, but also charge you extra to use streaming video, VOIP, send attachments or go to certain web pages because they CAN and profit from that. No one should be allowed to charge for the same product (bandwidth) twice, especially since it’s become such a basic part of our everyday lives.