Net Neutrality is (Officially) a Hot Topic Again
As readers of this blog know, I have been saying for some time that Net Neutrality would be one of the hottest topics of 2008. Well, it's officially taken center stage again with a flurry of coverage this week (go to Google News and type in "net neutrality"). Yesterday, representatives of Comcast appeared before the FCC to discuss the company's practices around network management. Today, the Washington Post reports Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is expected to introduce a bill calling for an Internet policy that would prohibit network operators from unreasonably interfering with consumers' right to access and use content over broadband networks (he must not be at the Roger Clemens Circus). This is a corporate blog, and thus my position is officially neutral on this subject (as noted by Will Richmond back in November) - but it is a topic I believe is worth following, even for the average consumer, for two primary reasons:
1) The ongoing dialogue, and any legislation tied to this subject, will have an impact on the ability of carriers, cable providers, Internet and media companies to compete for your dollars and mindshare, especially as it relates to rich media (music, video, movies, etc.).
2) The outcome will have a significant impact on what the Internet looks like in 5-10 years time. As the Internet becomes more important to your daily life, you should care about this. Kind of simple statement, but it's a pretty basic concept.
For more on Net Neutrality, here are a few links (and different perspectives):
