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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Websites
On these sites you can find more information on Internet Neutrality:
Federal Communications Commission
Center For Democracy & Technology
Federal Communications Commission
Center For Democracy & Technology
Common Cause – Holding Power Accountable
Article on congressional legislation for internet neutrality
Synopsis of The Net Neutrality Debate: The Basics
The article gives a basic explanation of the debate that is going on about net neutrality between the deregulators and the openists. The article itself is made of five parts. The deregulators which include the cable, phone, and Internet companies want the internet deregulated so they can charge people on a pay as you go, tier type basis. The openists want the system we already have and regulations to keep these big companies under control. The article goes through the terminology and the major players in the debate.
The first part defines what net neutrality means and how it has different definitions to different groups of people. The second part describes the players involved and the terminology used in the net neutrality debate. The third section describes where the debate started from and who brought to the forefront. The fourth section tells of the dilemma caused by the debate. The fifth and final section gives some solutions to end the debate and to keep it from coming up again.
Why is it a big deal if there are only a few companies that control the internet, wouldn’t it be less confusing?
The first part defines what net neutrality means and how it has different definitions to different groups of people. The second part describes the players involved and the terminology used in the net neutrality debate. The third section describes where the debate started from and who brought to the forefront. The fourth section tells of the dilemma caused by the debate. The fifth and final section gives some solutions to end the debate and to keep it from coming up again.
Why is it a big deal if there are only a few companies that control the internet, wouldn’t it be less confusing?
Synopsis of Dueling Data
This article is a look into how net neutrality is relevant to the average person. It starts out with a story about how the authors son was able to have a book read to him by his grandparent via a webcast. This is the event that got his mind rolling on the issue of net neutrality. In the article the author goes on to discuss the implications of having neutrality or not having it.
To begin his debate he talks about Comcast and their pursuit in slowing down person two person (P2P) traffic. According to him Comcast has gotten in trouble for slowing down and stopping P2P traffic because some of some files being copywrited. If a file has a copywrite it is illegal to share and distibute. This would include things like music and sites like LimeWire. The author goes on to describe the implications this type of activity would have on education and cable-internet-phone companies.
If companies are allowed to stop P2P traffic, what would be the problem?
To begin his debate he talks about Comcast and their pursuit in slowing down person two person (P2P) traffic. According to him Comcast has gotten in trouble for slowing down and stopping P2P traffic because some of some files being copywrited. If a file has a copywrite it is illegal to share and distibute. This would include things like music and sites like LimeWire. The author goes on to describe the implications this type of activity would have on education and cable-internet-phone companies.
If companies are allowed to stop P2P traffic, what would be the problem?
Synopsis of article: Point/Counterpoint -- Network Neutrality Nuances
This article presents opposite points of view on internet neutrality. The two authors joust with each other on the issue of whether the internet should become a competitive venture between cable and phone companies or remain the way it is with consumers paying one price for equal access to all that can be offered. If the internet did become competitive there is evidence that certain kinds of information/sites would be blocked, whether it was considered offensive to the company (a form of censorship) or threatening (competition). On the other side, we are presented with the opinion that openness and transparency coupled with regulations would keep companies from hurting or denying consumers all around access.
A few times the authors find themselves in agreement. Their common ground deals with the user being able to access what they wish and that the internet remains a viable and highly creative venue. The FCC with its current and potential future regulations is depicted as either fairly inept or conclusively all-powerful. The argument against the FCC points out their lack of technical knowledge regarding the intricacies of the web. The argument for net neutrality is more solid especially as it contains several examples of shady dealings already happening among the provider companies and paints a vivid picture of how bad this could get in the future.
To access this article from UWO library site:
1. Go to library home page and click on Academic Search Complete
2. Click in box next to the Ebsco host logo
3. Type in: internet in the first box
4. Type in: neutrality in the box just below
5. Scroll down and click the little box for Scholarly Journals
6. Click on Search
7. You will see a list of articles -- go down to #7.
Question:
Do you think that the big phone and cable companies would be open and transparent about their practices – for example, eliminating access to certain sites?
A few times the authors find themselves in agreement. Their common ground deals with the user being able to access what they wish and that the internet remains a viable and highly creative venue. The FCC with its current and potential future regulations is depicted as either fairly inept or conclusively all-powerful. The argument against the FCC points out their lack of technical knowledge regarding the intricacies of the web. The argument for net neutrality is more solid especially as it contains several examples of shady dealings already happening among the provider companies and paints a vivid picture of how bad this could get in the future.
To access this article from UWO library site:
1. Go to library home page and click on Academic Search Complete
2. Click in box next to the Ebsco host logo
3. Type in: internet in the first box
4. Type in: neutrality in the box just below
5. Scroll down and click the little box for Scholarly Journals
6. Click on Search
7. You will see a list of articles -- go down to #7.
Question:
Do you think that the big phone and cable companies would be open and transparent about their practices – for example, eliminating access to certain sites?
Synopsis of "No Tolls on The Internet"
We already pay to use the internet, but without internet neutrality we could end up paying each time we try to google something, view you tube, enjoy facebook, or a blog. This nasty plan is being drummed up by large companies like AT&T and Verizon so that they can shut out all the smaller entities and siphon millions of dollars off of us. Their plan is to charge those who want to provide any type of information to the web. If the entity does not pay up then the large companies will cut them away from access by you and me.
The large phone companies have tons of professionals and lobbyists working for them and promoting their cause to Congress. At the other end of this activity is a huge grassroots group on the web called savetheinternet.com and they are organized and fighting for freedom and equality regarding the web. This is a touchy situation because Congress seems vulnerable to the wiles of the greedy and manipulative corporations.
Question: Are you concerned enough about this issue to check out the site savetheinternet.com?
Synopsis of Regulating the Internet Net Neutrality: A user’s guide
This article provided an introduction to net neutrality (regulating the internet). The net neutrality debate is often famed as having just two sides. On one side are the operators, for example, AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast, who argue that those who make high use of and profit from the Internet should pay for that use. The other side is more complex and consists of service providers, for example, Google, Intel, and Amazon (to name a few), who state that access tiering threatens the core values and social usefulness of the Internet and that governments must get involved to prevent access tiering from occurring. The authors show that net neutrality is not simple but is a complex issue that must link the public interest with legal, practical and commercial considerations. And, when all is said and done, there is no “correct” position.
The access tiering model, which is the subject of the net neutrality debate, is an attempt to adjust the Internet’s default settings by placing control of the network in operators’ hands and allowing them to set the price for access. Competitors fear being unable to compete. Non-commercial entities fear being unable to pay. With control of the Internet comes power; access tiering is potentially a very powerful form of control. At the writing of this article (2006) there had been few examples of operators actually engaging in access tiering to date.
There is no incentive for operators to access tier, as their consumers want access to the entire Internet. If access tiering is allowed “youTube.com” may no longer be accessible. Net neutrality requirements do not appear practical or desirable. The question that can be asked is, should the Internet be regulated, and if so, how?
Regulating the Internet
How to get to this article?
Step 1: Go to UWO homepage.
Step 2: Under Titan Services on the right hand side scroll down to Polk Library.
Step 3: In the List of Library Search Tools scroll to ScienceDirect
Step 4: In the “All fields” box type in Net neutrality: A user’s guide.
Step 5: Click on the article.
The access tiering model, which is the subject of the net neutrality debate, is an attempt to adjust the Internet’s default settings by placing control of the network in operators’ hands and allowing them to set the price for access. Competitors fear being unable to compete. Non-commercial entities fear being unable to pay. With control of the Internet comes power; access tiering is potentially a very powerful form of control. At the writing of this article (2006) there had been few examples of operators actually engaging in access tiering to date.
There is no incentive for operators to access tier, as their consumers want access to the entire Internet. If access tiering is allowed “youTube.com” may no longer be accessible. Net neutrality requirements do not appear practical or desirable. The question that can be asked is, should the Internet be regulated, and if so, how?
Regulating the Internet
How to get to this article?
Step 1: Go to UWO homepage.
Step 2: Under Titan Services on the right hand side scroll down to Polk Library.
Step 3: In the List of Library Search Tools scroll to ScienceDirect
Step 4: In the “All fields” box type in Net neutrality: A user’s guide.
Step 5: Click on the article.
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