[ NNSquad ] Re: FCC paths to Internet network management? (from IP)

[Brett Glass <nnsquad@brettglass.com>]

At 10:41 AM 3/2/2008, Seth Johnson wrote:

> Despite the fact that Vint works for
> them.  I'd like to see someone explain how differentiation based on
> "types" of applications would not end net neutrality.

I will explain this for you, and I will try to put it very simply.

Network Neutrality simply means that carriers do not discriminate 
against content providers with which they compete.

It does not mean that they cannot manage their networks; throttle 
or block abusive behavior, protocols, or software; prioritize 
protocols which need near-isochronous bandwidth or are interactive; 
charge different rates for different tiers of service; cache 
content; or provide informative messages to their customers through 
their browsers as they surf.

Those who have sought to include the above restrictions in the 
definition of Network Neutrality are, IMHO, trying to exploit the 
bandwagon for their own purposes -- ideological or financial. Vuze, 
Inc., for example, has no high minded principles; it simply wants 
to avoid paying for the bandwidth it uses.

--Brett Glass

  [ Or to be more precise, that is the personal definition of
    Network Neutrality promulgated by Mr. Brett Glass.  In the
    broader universe, the term Network Neutrality currently has
    various other meanings and implications as well for many persons
    involved in these issues, and I for one would never suggest
    that my personal definition need be accepted by everyone else.

    In fact, Brett is correct to the extent that when the term
    first came into widespread use (around the time of the "Brand
    X" case) carrier discrimination was the dominant issue.  Since
    then, the term has been widened in many circles to include a
    much broader range of issues, and just as various other terms
    morph over the years, many observers would suggest that the term
    "network neutrality" has similarly changed to encompass much
    more than it did initially.

    But we should really be spending our time dealing with specific
    issues, and not worrying so much about the names on the
    pigeonholes.

             -- Lauren Weinstein
                NNSquad Moderator ]