Google and Verizon publish joint policy proposal for 'an open internet'
By Darren Murph 
posted August 9th 2010 1:53PM
posted August 9th 2010 1:53PM
UPDATE: We've done a full breakdown of the proposal right here -- go check it out!
Back in October of last year, Google and Verizon came together in order to provide an intense amount of corporate support for the FCC's then-fledgling net neutrality push. Today, said push has turned into quite the monster, with a recent court ruling asserting that the FCC doesn't actually have the authority to impose net neutrality. Since then, a cadre of telecommunications firms have banded together in one form or another to attempt a compromise (and slyly get what each of them really want), and today the Big G and Big Red have taken the stage together in order to publicize a well-thought out policy proposal for "an open internet." Both firms seem to agree that web users "should choose what content, applications, or devices they use," and they both want "enforceable prohibition against discriminatory practices" -- and yeah, that definitely includes prioritization and blocking of internet traffic, including paid prioritization. In an odd twist, what seems to be happening here is that both Google and Verizon are actually in favor of more government oversight on the internet, but they want that oversight to be beneficial to consumers. In other words, more regulations from the feds to enforce fewer regulations imposed on you from your ISP. Get all that?
Where things really get interesting is when they touch on the wireless angle; essentially, they're admitting that the very proposals they are putting forth for wireline shouldn't apply to wireless just yet (aside from the whole "transparency" thing). It seems that the prevailing logic is that there's simply not enough spectrum for this idyllic "play fair" scenario to truly work, so fewer restrictions would be necessary for the wireless internet space to blossom as the wireless side already has. Moreover, we get the impression that these guys feel the wireless space as a whole is simply too competitive right now to withstand any red tape.
The proposal also mentions that, if passed into law, the FCC would have the ability to fine "bad actors" (read: misbehaving ISPs) up to $2 million for breaking any of these "open internet" stipulations, and naturally, both outfits are highly in favor of the National Broadband Plan taking hold, moving forward and getting broadband to places that are currently using a strange mixture of used canisters and rope to check their inbox.
I like Google but I don't trust Verizon at all.
Personally I think there should be no speed tiers, but instead speed is should be entirely determined by how fast the inter-tubes going to your neighborhood/cell tower are. That way your speeds would fluctuate during different times of the day, but it'd always be going as fast as it could be.
Definitely a self-serving proposal, which is not to say the FCC are going to jump at it. Realistically however, it seems fair that our expectations for wireless be different than that of wired, given both the difference in infrastructure, but this is not to give them free license to rape the consumer. So I'll stay cautiously optimistic that this is a step in the right direction without raising the "Mission Accomplished" banner just yet.
The big take from all of this? Scream as much as libertarians might those that are actually at the tops of these cash piles know that an unregulated market can easily self destruct. All it would take is for a bidding war to erupt for prioritization and and you'd see even some major companies getting run out of business. Even worse you'd see the voice of the people shut down. If any of you play the game Mass Effect take some time to read about how the internet-like communication system works where the common people have to wait weeks to get data back and forth while the big boys have instant access. The same would happen here. Yes Google and Verizon are doing this for themselves as well to keep their own profits clear. But they could have very well both went on and started the war and left the consumer hung out to dry.
Again I must say though I think he is a very genuine guy...Ron Paul would have this country deep into something it can't get out of. We are lucky here today that these two companies have not abused the open market. That won't always be the case.
The real lesson is that given enough anonymous sources you can write any headline you'd like.
Engadget's take (and of course, google's) is bullshit. Here's the real scoop: http://www.freepress.net/press-release/2010/8/9/free-press-urges-policymakers-reject-google-verizon-pact
Seriously engadget? You just read google's press release and treat it like gospel? I though you were cool.
@onecallednick Wow. Usually in a paranoid rant there's at least one fact.
@redpanda turns out engadget's more in-depth reading confirms everything that press release stated. They want to gut the FCC. Fiber and wireless internet would be deregulated and tiered, complete with priority content pricing. This is bullshit.
http://www.freepress.net/press-release/2010/8/9/google-verizon-pact-worse-feared
@redpanda here's another summary of this garbage legislation: http://www.freepress.net/files/carving_up_the_internet.pdf
"The deal allows ISPs to split the open public Internet into two “pipes.” One of these pipes will be devoted to socalled
“managed services,” a pay-for-play platform that will destroy today’s level playing field that gives every
new startup the chance to turn a good idea into the next Google or Facebook. This could also lead to exclusive
deals that restrict consumer choice and reduce competition. Most worrisome is that the presence of pay-for-play
managed services could stifle the growth of the open Internet, freezing the “public” Internet in 2010 while the
“private” Internet takes a few big players on the fast lane into the future."
Google & Verizon
This is HUGELY ironic 8 months later (after Nexus One)
http://www.styrofoamsoup.com/tech/remember-when-google-used-to-sleep-around/
Hmm...
I just came here from multiple sites saying that Google has gone "evil" because while they talk of net neutrality for wired internet, they and Verizon are creating their own network for wireless internet. "Alternet internet" is the word being tossed around. I then came here specifically to see if engadget was willing to call this as it is or if they would carry Google's water for them. What a surprise that the latter took effect.
Dear Verizon,
Why don't you just give us a chep and INLIMITED data plan(including text) instead of this crap.
This is horrible, can't you guys read?
Google/Verizon want to prioritize wireless interent - mobile phones, ie; tiered pricing on data usage and type of data. Why would you be happy about this? Sure, open at home internet - the way it is now, while they sugar coat the complete opposite for the hottest growing market - mobile internet, smartphones.
Home internet is not in danger, and I don't know why you guys are falling for this bit. They are not changing anything about your home internet, while they advertise openness they are actually condoning a closed-prioritiy priced mobile internet.
@zoran I can somewhat understand their point about wireless. Wired internet is far more important. Remember even what you get wirelessly first goes through a wire. That is where things would be throttled. If we keep that pipe open we can always get to a wired or WiFi connection and get unthrottled data. I don't think wireless was even built with todays usage in mind.
Pretty good since Apple doesn't support open anything.. this means apple will have to change their ways.
I don't know...all sounds to good to be true...and 9 times out of 10, that usually is the case.
GooRizon FTW !!!
@bufbarnaby And also HTCoLA FTW !!!
If there are multiple places where people use cans and strings, the people from those places are not all checking the same inbox. /grammarnazi
Talk to me when they decide to give free internet.
Here's my policy for open internet. Don't f*ck with it. Simple.
The “compromise proposal” restricts Internet-service providers from selectively slowing Web content.
http://cntnews.tk/?p=1503
And as everyone breathes a sigh of relief, all internet providers simultaneously implement Operation Wyfy, which converts all of their customer’s “wired” internet service over to their new secret wireless infrastructure, thus removing their content from net neutrality protection.
OWNED