[opendtv] Re: ACA: Net Rules Fail Unless Applied To Edge Providers | Multichannel
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 22:51:02 +0000
Craig Birkmaier posted:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/policy/aca-net-rules-fail-unless-applied-edge-providers/382662
"The American Cable Association, representing small cable operators, has told
the FCC that its proposed new network neutrality rules will not protect
Internet openness unless they extend to content (edge) providers like search
engines and not just ISPs."
Not nearly as essential, since everyone should have access to multiple search
engines, but it's a point. Or, the TV networks take matters in their own hands,
e.g. as some of them did when GoogleTV got all the unnecessary hype from the
press. "Oh yeah? Watch this!"
Of course, coming from the ACA, it sounds like a diversion.
"'These so-called 'edge' providers have the incentive and ability to limit
access to their content in a commercially unreasonable manner, thereby
undermining the intent of the Open Internet rules. These concerns are not
merely hypothetical,' said ACA President Matt Polka in a statement, citing
online blackouts by CBS in 2013 and Viacom earlier this year, among others."
Consumers don't need to become enslaved to just one search engine, and
equipment manufacturers don't limit the choice either. Somewhat related to this
would be the controversy over choice of web browser for Windows, so it's hardly
something new the government *has* to step in to control. People have already
made their views clear, and the manufacturers have taken these into account.
On the other hand, a local monopoly for broadband access is not something that
consumers can control on their own. In spite of what Commissioner Pai might
say, the broadband companies have already been playing these games, because of
their conflict of interest. Were it not for the controversy Comcast stirred wrt
Netflix, and then others seemed quick to emulate, the recent wailing would
never have occurred.
Bert
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