Is the wild west culture of the Internet about to become a thing of the past? Big business is staking its claim on the information superhighway, lobbying Congress for an exclusive faster lane, whic...
Is the wild west culture of the Internet about to become a thing of the past? Big business is staking its claim on the information superhighway, lobbying Congress for an exclusive faster lane, which consumers could end up paying for. This week on NOW we look at a major battle brewing in Washington D.C. over the future of the Internet.
We follow the story of Blip.tv, an ambitious video-streaming startup. They're fighting for a corner of the Internet marketplace in the midst of a battle over so-called 'net neutrality' -- the idea that all Internet content and websites are given the same access to audiences and customers.
If telecommunication giants have their way, companies like Blip.tv might be forced to compete in a marketplace wherein firms with large coffers can buy access to greater bandwidth and faster Internet speeds, leaving sites who can't afford to pay in the slow lane.
Craig Aaron of Free Press, a media watchdog group, says big telecom companies have declared open season on 'Net neutrality.' He's afraid these companies will dictate how we use the Internet.
"I think one of the beauties of the Internet is that it's been open to views across the political spectrum. And if you hand the control of the information so that some can be preferred over others, you're going to be handing that control to the big media companies that already control our television, airwaves, radio, you name it," Aaron says.
For their part, telecom companies argue that a fast lane on the Internet for those willing to pay will allow them to make a return on their multibillion-dollar investment in broadband infrastructure. At present, companies such as Verizon and AT&T only charge for access to the Internet, but make virtually no money from content.
"It's just, by the way, the same reason why we take 18 wheeler semi-trailers and make them pay more in federal highway taxes than someone who drives their family in a mini-van: because they are putting more load on the infrastructure and therefore should pay a higher rate," says Mike McCurry, head of Hands Off the Internet.
His group, backed by a number of telecom companies, says that many web companies are making billions off the Internet but are not willing to pitch in to upgrade its infrastructure. The telecom companies have launched an aggressive, multi-million dollar advertising campaign against web giants such as Google and Amazon arguing "they don't want to pay for anything."
Those who support net neutrality -- including a broad coalition of consumer groups, higher education organizations, special interests, and Internet companies -- say the telecoms just want to increase their profits. They fear that the proposed two-tiered Internet would kill a democratic marketplace wherein small businesses compete on an equal footing with giants of commerce.
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do you want websites like this to disappear because they have opposing viewpoints? the internet is not controlled by the government. they dont provide the service and they sure as hell dont regulate it, yet. if that was the case what the hell would be the point of passing net neutrality? currently, the average person has more freedom on the internet than anywhere else. how would passing a law to regulate it make it more free than it is already?
The Internet is alreadyunder the control of the government. The debate on net neutrality is whether it's going to stay that way. Net neutrality means anyone can use the Internet. Currently I am satified with how the Internet works. Do you want to pay more to use websites like this?
the thing with net neutrality, which many people don't realize, is that if it passes, the Internet will come under control of the GOVERNMENT. considering the whole social justice/fairness doctrine scene going down right now, federal regulation witll kill the internet faster than any corporation could.
Wow that would be freaking terrible if they get away with this shit, it sucks cause its hard to believe that the guys with all of the money wont be the ones getting there way.
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The Internet is alreadyunder the control of the government. The debate on net neutrality is whether it's going to stay that way. Net neutrality means anyone can use the Internet. Currently I am satified with how the Internet works. Do you want to pay more to use websites like this?
GTFO MY INTERNET YOU WASTE OF BANDWIDTH.