Why Google-Verizon net neutrality scheming plot makes no sense : Yobie Benjamin

Network neutrality (also net neutrality, Internet neutrality) is a principle proposed for user access networks participating in the Internet that advocates no restrictions by Internet Service Providers and governments on content, sites, platforms, on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, and no restrictions on the modes of communication allowed.

The principle states that if a given user pays for a certain level of Internet access, and another user pays for the same level of access, then the two users should be able to connect to each other at the subscribed level of access.

Though the term did not enter popular use until several years later, since the early 2000s advocates of net neutrality and associated rules have raised concerns about the ability of broadband providers to use their last mile infrastructure to block Internet applications and content (e.g., websites, services, protocols), particularly those of competitors. In the US particularly, but elsewhere as well, the possibility of regulations designed to mandate the neutrality of the Internet has been subject to fierce debate.

Tiered service model in order to control the pipeline

Neutrality proponents claim that telecom companies seek to impose a tiered service model in order to control the pipeline and thereby remove competition, create artificial scarcity, and oblige subscribers to buy their otherwise uncompetitive services. Many believe net neutrality to be primarily important as a preservation of current freedoms. Vinton Cerf (coincidentally Vint works for Google), considered a "father of the Internet" and co-inventor of the Internet Protocol, Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the Web, and many others have spoken out in favor of network neutrality.

The Verizon-Google framework proposes that full net neutrality is to be maintained for wireline services such as DSL and cable Internet. Wireless providers will be allowed to tier services for wireless Internet services. AT&T quickly followed with a statement that expresses their support for the Google-Verizon scheme.

The Philippines

In many countries particularly developing nations such as the Philippines and India, many communities do not have wireline services for telephone service and Internet service. Why? It's simple economics --- Laying down fiber optics and cooper cable to support wireline services is extremely expensive and time consuming. Setting up towers to support and maintain wireless cellular phones and Internet services is cheaper. The same goes for 4G or 4th Generation Internet Protocol based services. It's cheaper to set up satellite uplinks and a series of wireless antennas than laying down miles of cable or copper needed to deliver phone services and Internet for areas that never had wireline phone service.

Even in the US, there are areas that are not serviced by the cable or phone company. In my last startup, we could not get cable or DSL-based Internet or VOIP access in the Dogpatch District of San Francisco so we had to use WiLine. And who is WiLine? A wireless Internet company!

Also remember when you first had Internet in your home? You had wires all over and a modem that ran at a snail's speed then you had DSL and cable (which still had wires) and you were limited to where the wires, cable and phone outlets were. Today you buy a $20 WiFi router and you have Internet access throughout the entire house. Pop for a more expensive wireless router and you could even provide for your neighbors' Internet and voice over IP access.

What happened in you home will happen in your street

What happened in you home will happen in your street, your community and eventually your city. It has already happened in Mountain View, California. There is free wireless Internet in downtown Mountain View's Castro Street c/o Google in fact! If you have the right smart phone and set it up properly, you can make phone calls without using your minutes in Mountain View because it uses a wireless WiFi Internet connection. Look mom... still no wires!

Here's the bottom line. The distinction between wired and wireless Internet access is an artificial line that is beginning to disappear and will do so rapidly. The days of cellular mobile protocols such GSM and CDMA are numbered. In less than five years, most communication services will move toward a wireless Internet protocol and its successor IPV6 - And the expansion will all be wireless. The wired and wireless barriers are artificial. You can call anyone from your current smart phone without ever using the mobile phone network. Skype already runs on Verizon's data (aka Internet) network. Vonage works on my iPhone. Every smart phone is capable of VOIP calls. Is there a logical demarcation? When is wireless not wireless? WiLine is a wireless service. Will WiLine or similar future companies be be exempt?

What does the Google-Verizon framework do?

So what does the Google-Verizon framework do? It will codify and turn into law and regulation the exemption of wireless services from net neutrality rules. Wireless Internet services is guaranteed to expand in the future. As for net neutrality regulated wired services, they will slowly die to be replaced by cheaper, faster, ubiquitous, easier to install and maintain wireless services. It's like making rules to regulate the horse and buggy. Regulate the past and dying and have an unfettered environment for what is surely to grow and expand - Verizon calls and Comcast puts.