Comcast purposely slowed video streaming traffic between Netflix and Comcast’s own customers in order to extort money from Netflix. Netflix gave in to the extortion to preserve its customer base. They had to make up for that money some how, and now they are raising their price. Comcast basically increased their profits on the backs of all Netflix subscribers. A well written net neutrality law could prevent this kind of extortion and protect consumers.
Imagine if all roads became toll roads, and you were charged not only for each mile you drove, but the rate was higher for the left-hand lane. Or perhaps the rate rose whenever you got above 30mph.
Maybe because the net is part of the infrastructure like our water and road systems that we all use and require in our daily life and should not be exploited by the one percent who own it.
This is not about customers paying more or less — we do that now. We buy a plan that says how fast our access is and how much we get.
The problem is on the other end — the big ISPs want to charge more to websites for how fast they’ll be able to send material. The super rich will be able to blast their material at the fastest rate while the other 99.9% waits through hang-ups, delays, and slow refreshes.
Oh, they exist. In some parts of Virginia, at least, there are express lanes where you can drive in exchange for a toll.
And the one thing I miss from the dialup Internet era is actual competition. Where I lived, I could choose from any of a couple dozen ISPs, most of whom could provide an equal level of service. Now? Cable company, phone company, or spotty unreliable wireless. That’s it for choices.
TheTrustedMechanic: That would sure put me and similar researchers out of business. We have our basic load (including gocomics for “relaxation”) but occasionally must spend hours tracking down one little bit of essential data. Hardly within my budget. Or do you believe only corporate wage-slaves deserve the Internet and only for what their corporate bosses permit?
Jason Allen almost 10 years ago
Comcast purposely slowed video streaming traffic between Netflix and Comcast’s own customers in order to extort money from Netflix. Netflix gave in to the extortion to preserve its customer base. They had to make up for that money some how, and now they are raising their price. Comcast basically increased their profits on the backs of all Netflix subscribers. A well written net neutrality law could prevent this kind of extortion and protect consumers.
Doughfoot almost 10 years ago
Imagine if all roads became toll roads, and you were charged not only for each mile you drove, but the rate was higher for the left-hand lane. Or perhaps the rate rose whenever you got above 30mph.
bernardgarner almost 10 years ago
Maybe because the net is part of the infrastructure like our water and road systems that we all use and require in our daily life and should not be exploited by the one percent who own it.
Kip W almost 10 years ago
This is not about customers paying more or less — we do that now. We buy a plan that says how fast our access is and how much we get.
The problem is on the other end — the big ISPs want to charge more to websites for how fast they’ll be able to send material. The super rich will be able to blast their material at the fastest rate while the other 99.9% waits through hang-ups, delays, and slow refreshes.
Christopher Shea almost 10 years ago
Oh, they exist. In some parts of Virginia, at least, there are express lanes where you can drive in exchange for a toll.
And the one thing I miss from the dialup Internet era is actual competition. Where I lived, I could choose from any of a couple dozen ISPs, most of whom could provide an equal level of service. Now? Cable company, phone company, or spotty unreliable wireless. That’s it for choices.
danketaz Premium Member almost 10 years ago
So this got nothing to do with the Clippers debacle?
hippogriff almost 10 years ago
TheTrustedMechanic: That would sure put me and similar researchers out of business. We have our basic load (including gocomics for “relaxation”) but occasionally must spend hours tracking down one little bit of essential data. Hardly within my budget. Or do you believe only corporate wage-slaves deserve the Internet and only for what their corporate bosses permit?
stuart almost 10 years ago
Yes, buy a metered plan, and suddenly the incentive for the ISP to slow down anything you access disappears! No need for yet more government control.
SABRSteve almost 10 years ago
I thought taxpayers already paid for roads?