Difference between revisions of "Net Neutrality"

From Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Introduction)
m (Reverted edits by Empess09 (Talk) to last revision by Joly)
 
(38 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
At the isoc-ny AGM on Feb 15 2007, Seth Johnson reported on the [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/12/broadbandworkshop2.htm FTC "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy" Workshop] earlier in the week. He mentioned that there were two weeks left for public comment. It was decided that isoc-ny should issue a comment. Danny Younger and Joly MacFie were tasked with drafting such.
 
At the isoc-ny AGM on Feb 15 2007, Seth Johnson reported on the [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/12/broadbandworkshop2.htm FTC "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy" Workshop] earlier in the week. He mentioned that there were two weeks left for public comment. It was decided that isoc-ny should issue a comment. Danny Younger and Joly MacFie were tasked with drafting such.
  
* '''Comments Deadline: February 28, 2007'''
+
A comment, which can be read [[FTC NN Comment | here]] was submitted on Feb 28.
* Link for Electronic Comments: [https://secure.commentworks.com/ftc-broadband Click here]
+
* Refer to "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy Workshop - Comment, Project No. V070000"
+
* [http://www.ftc.gov/opp/workshops/broadband/index.html Click here for instructions for filing].
+
  
 
== The Issues (as Framed by the FTC) ==
 
== The Issues (as Framed by the FTC) ==
 
(Also see the [http://www.ftc.gov/opp/workshops/broadband/agenda.pdf FTC's agenda] and [http://htc-01.media.globix.net/COMP008760MOD1/ftc_web/FTCindex.html webcast] for further FTC framing.)
 
  
 
<blockquote>Issues are raised by recent legal and regulatory
 
<blockquote>Issues are raised by recent legal and regulatory
Line 20: Line 15:
 
against, degrading, or blocking users’ access to unaffiliated
 
against, degrading, or blocking users’ access to unaffiliated
 
content and applications. In addition, concerns have been
 
content and applications. In addition, concerns have been
raised regarding ISPs and other network operators charging
+
'''raised regarding ISPs and other network operators charging
 
providers of unaffiliated content and applications fees for
 
providers of unaffiliated content and applications fees for
 
prioritized delivery of their products to end users. To
 
prioritized delivery of their products to end users. To
Line 42: Line 37:
 
sufficient to address any harms that may arise.</blockquote>
 
sufficient to address any harms that may arise.</blockquote>
  
== MoveOn.org meeting ==
+
== FTC Workshop Transcript & notes ==
Joesph S. has fwded an [http://lists.isoc-ny.org/pipermail/discuss/2007-February/000244.html invite] from move-on.org to a meeting with Rep. Yvette Clarke next week to discuss Net Neutrality - Wed Feb 21 in Brooklyn. [http://civ.moveon.org/save_the_internet/in_district.html details]
+
 
 +
===Feb 13===
 +
# [[FTC_NN1|Opening Remarks]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN2|Technical Background Panel]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN3|What Is The Debate Over "Network Neutrality" About?]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN4|Remarks By Commissioner Leibowitz]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN5|Discrimination, Blockage, and Vertical Integration Panel]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN6|Quality of Service, Tiering, and Charging Fees for Prioritized Delivery]]
 +
 
 +
===Feb 14===
 +
# [[FTC_NN7|Current and Future State of Broadband Competition Panel]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN8|Consumer Protection Issues Panel]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN9|What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Industry Reviews Panel]]
 +
# [[FTC_NN10|What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Academic and Policy Panel]]
 +
 
 +
Taken from the [http://htc-01.media.globix.net/COMP008760MOD1/ftc_web/FTCindex.html webcast]
 +
 
 +
===Comments to the workshop===
 +
Taken from [http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/index.htm here].
 +
 
 +
* Bill D. Herman - Opening Bottlenecks: On Behalf of Mandated Network Neutrality <sup>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00003.pdf pdf][http://pdftohtml.spiritofanime.com/pdf2html.php?url=http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00003.pdf html]</sup>
 +
* Rebecca Schwartz - Telecommunications Industry Association comments <sup>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00010.pdf pdf][http://pdftohtml.spiritofanime.com/pdf2html.php?url=http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00010.pdf html]</sup>
 +
* Jon Peha of Carnegie Mellon argues for a balanced approach [http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00030.htm]<sup>[http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~peha/balanced_net_neutrality_policy.pdf pdf]</sup> <blockquote>Abstract: A fundamental issue in the network neutrality debate is the extent to which network operators should be allowed to discriminate among Internet packet streams to selectively block, adjust quality of service, or adjust prices. This paper first reviews technology now available for traffic discrimination. It then shows how network operators can use this technology in ways that would make the Internet less valuable to Internet users, and why a network operator would have financial incentive to do this if and only if it has sufficient market power. A particular concern is that network operators could use discrimination to extract oligopoly rents from upstream markets that are highly competitive. This paper also shows how network operators can use the very same technology to discriminate in ways that benefit Internet users, as well as the network operator. Thus, network neutrality supporters are right to fear unlimited discrimination in some cases, while network neutrality opponents are right to fear a policy that imposes strict limits on discrimination. From this, we argue that the network neutrality debate should be refocused on the search for a balanced policy, which is a policy that limits the more harmful discriminatory practices in markets where there is insufficient competition, with little interference to beneficial discrimination or innovation. We apply this balanced policy in a few controversial scenarios as examples. There has been too little attention on the possibility of a nuanced balanced policy, in part because the network neutrality debate is focusing on the wrong issues. This paper argues that the debate should shift towards the complex details of differentiating harmful discrimination from beneficial discrimination, and away from high-level secondary questions like whether discrimination is inherently just, who ought to pay for certain Internet services, how important general design principles are, what abstract rights and freedoms consumers and carriers deserve, or whether network operators can give their affiliates special treatment. Reality is more complex than these questions would imply, and none of them will serve as a basis for a sufficiently specific and effective policy.</blockquote>
 +
* R. Bancroft suggests the FTC encourage ''voluntary disclosure of the existing packet management practices on a residential user's high-speed Internet access'' <sup>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00032.pdf pdf]</sup><sup>[http://pdftohtml.spiritofanime.com/pdf2html.php?url=http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00032.pdf html]</sup>
 +
* Jay Sulzberger on 'the importance of distinguishing the Net from cable TV, and from lower level signal transport systems'. <sup>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00056.pdf pdf]</sup><sup>[http://pdftohtml.markoer.org/pdf2html.php?url=http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/broadbandwrkshop/527031-00056.pdf html]</sup>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Comments on the workshop===
 +
* David S. Isenberg [http://isen.com/blog/2007/02/unrepresented-at-ftc-broadband-workshop.html Unrepresented at FTC Broadband Workshop]
 +
* Gigi Sohn [http://www.freepress.net/news/21103 The FTC Tackles Net Neutrality]
 +
* Steven Titch [http://www.reason.org/outofcontrol/archives/2007/02/the_ftc_and_net.html Out of Control]
  
 
== Seth's points ==
 
== Seth's points ==
Line 56: Line 81:
 
(I'll add more points as I think of them.  As I think ISOC likely can see very well, it is eminently possible to issue a highly important statement that can focus on technical issues like the above, without necessarily moving to a place that is more polemical.  The above points are chiefly about the responsibility that the Internet Society holds for assuring the integrity of standards.  -- Seth)
 
(I'll add more points as I think of them.  As I think ISOC likely can see very well, it is eminently possible to issue a highly important statement that can focus on technical issues like the above, without necessarily moving to a place that is more polemical.  The above points are chiefly about the responsibility that the Internet Society holds for assuring the integrity of standards.  -- Seth)
  
 +
===ISOC policy statement===
  
== Jay Sulzberger's notes [http://lists.isoc-ny.org/pipermail/discuss/2007-February/000254.html]==
+
This policy statement needs to be strengthened:
  
David S. Isenberg was at the FTC workshop on Net Neutrality held
+
http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/usercentricity/network_neutrality.shtml
on 13 and 14 February 2007 in Washington DC.
+
  
Below is a piece on Net Neutrality, and two notes on the workshop:
+
The second definition listed at the top of the page needs
 +
updating; it reflects one way the issue was presented early on.
 +
There's a difference between treating similar applications alike,
 +
and supporting diverse applications by the design of the
 +
transport.  Treating similar applications alike just as well
 +
would tend to make the Internet platform no longer flexible and
 +
generic, an actual medium for diverse applications.  This is the
 +
difference between the transport and the applications above.
  
* http://isen.com/blog/2006/01/internet-freedom-or-privilege.html
+
The wikipedia pages make this point.
* http://isen.com/blog/2007/02/quote-of-note-deborah-platt-majoras.html
+
* http://isen.com/blog/2007/02/unrepresented-at-ftc-broadband-workshop.html
+
  
And at
+
ISOC NY can clarify this with your statement to the FTC, and this
* http://www.panix.com/~jays/FTC.13.14.February.2007
+
is a key insight you would bring to the FTC, who can't see the
are transcripts of the workshop.
+
issue correctly yet. Remember that flexibility is the key, and
 +
we wouldn't have any reason to worry about the future of the
 +
standards or the flexibility of the Internet -- or even have any
 +
debate over "net neutrality" -- if the incumbents hadn't
 +
expressed an intention to use their position to establish
 +
practices that would make the transport non-generic.
  
The official page of videos and transcripts is
+
Seth[http://lists.isoc-ny.org/pipermail/discuss/2007-February/000257.html]
* http://htc-01.media.globix.net/COMP008760MOD1/ftc_web/FTCindex.html
+
  
  
 +
 +
== Cybertelecom.org ==
 +
<blockquote>"Established in 1997, Cybertelecom is an educational non profit dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting participation in federal initiatives that impact the Internet."</blockquote>
 +
The first link below is '''the''' most comprehensive overview on the subject I have found.
 +
* Cybertelecom [http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm Net Neutrality]
 +
* Cybertelecom [http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutralref.htm Net Neutrality Reference]
 +
* Cybertelecom [http://www.cybertelecom.org/notes/internetreal.htm  Will the Real Internet Please Stand Up?]
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 +
* ISOC Public Policy [http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/network_neutrality.shtml Network Neutrality]
 
* Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality Network Neutrality]
 
* Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality Network Neutrality]
 
* Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality_in_the_US Network neutrality in the United States]
 
* Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality_in_the_US Network neutrality in the United States]
Line 83: Line 125:
 
* Cerf vs Farber: the Great Debate [http://images1.americanprogress.org/il80web20037/cap/2006_07_17_great_debate/debate.mp3 mp3] [http://www.americanprogress.org/kf/060717%20net%20neutrality.pdf pdf] Comments: [http://www.warsystems.hu/?p=24] [http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/532]
 
* Cerf vs Farber: the Great Debate [http://images1.americanprogress.org/il80web20037/cap/2006_07_17_great_debate/debate.mp3 mp3] [http://www.americanprogress.org/kf/060717%20net%20neutrality.pdf pdf] Comments: [http://www.warsystems.hu/?p=24] [http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/532]
 
* [http://www.savetheinternet.com/ www.savetheinternet.com/]
 
* [http://www.savetheinternet.com/ www.savetheinternet.com/]
 
+
* [http://futureofmusic.org/rockthenet/index.cfm Rock The Net] Musicians Support Network Neutrality
 
* Tim Wu's [http://timwu.org/network_neutrality.html Network Neutrality FAQ]
 
* Tim Wu's [http://timwu.org/network_neutrality.html Network Neutrality FAQ]
 
* Yoo vs Wu: another debate [http://www.legalaffairs.org/webexclusive/dc_printerfriendly.msp?id=86]
 
* Yoo vs Wu: another debate [http://www.legalaffairs.org/webexclusive/dc_printerfriendly.msp?id=86]
* [http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_5252248 Nothing ‘neutral’ in this Web war] article by John Latimer in the Lebanon Daily News summing up arguments. John also notes [http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_5252251 Legislative progress]
+
* [http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_5252248 Nothing ‘neutral’ in this Web war] article by John Latimer in the Lebanon Daily News summing up arguments. John also notes [http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_5252251 Legislative progress] or lack of it.
 +
* CDT's [http://www.cdt.org/speech/net-neutrality/readingroom.php Net Neutrality Reading Room]
 +
* CDT [http://www.cdt.org/publications/policyposts/2006/12| Policy Post] Focused Internet Neutrality Legislation Warranted To Protect Open Internet - July 12, 2006
 +
* Infoworld: [http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/20/79453_HNnetneutrality_1.html Groups Push Alternate Net Neutrality Proposals] - June 20, 2006
 +
* Esther Dyson [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/esther-dyson/release-09-net-neutrali_b_40384.html Release 0.9] Net Neutrality (Yet Another Take)  - Feb 2, 2007
 +
* Rob Frieden [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=962181 paper]Internet 3.0: Identifying Problems and Solutions to the Network Neutrality Debate Feb 2007 (I'm having no luck with this pdf)
 +
* Information Week [http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198001557  Net Neutrality Debate Remains Contentious] March 16, 2007 - good round up of quotes
 +
* PFIR's [http://www.nnsquad.org/ NNSQUAD - Network Neutrality Squad] effort
 +
 
 +
==Videos==
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Save the Internet!'''
 +
<youtube>cWt0XUocViE</youtube>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Humanity Lobotomy - Second Draft'''
 +
<youtube>JP_3WnJ42kw</youtube>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Sen. Ted Kennedy supports Net Neutrality'''
 +
<youtube>6UlCXXZTTh8</youtube>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Category:issues]][[Category:Policy]]

Latest revision as of 10:10, 11 May 2010

Introduction

At the isoc-ny AGM on Feb 15 2007, Seth Johnson reported on the FTC "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy" Workshop earlier in the week. He mentioned that there were two weeks left for public comment. It was decided that isoc-ny should issue a comment. Danny Younger and Joly MacFie were tasked with drafting such.

A comment, which can be read here was submitted on Feb 28.

The Issues (as Framed by the FTC)

Issues are raised by recent legal and regulatory

determinations that providers of certain broadband Internet services, such as cable modem and DSL, are not subject to the Federal Communications Commission’s common-carrier regulations. In the absence of such regulations, some have raised concerns about broadband Internet service providers discriminating against, degrading, or blocking users’ access to unaffiliated content and applications. In addition, concerns have been raised regarding ISPs and other network operators charging providers of unaffiliated content and applications fees for prioritized delivery of their products to end users. To prevent harm to competition and consumers from these and other related types of conduct, some have advocated network neutrality regulation that would require equal treatment of

all Internet traffic.
In response, opponents of network neutrality have argued that

such regulation would have adverse consequences for innovation and competition in the market for broadband access by, among other things, making it more difficult for ISPs and other network operators to recoup their investments in broadband networks. Opponents also have argued that such regulation is unnecessary because: 1) to date there is insufficient evidence of harm to competition or consumers to warrant such regulation; 2) competitive conditions in the market for broadband access will protect consumers from the harm anticipated by net neutrality proponents; and 3) the antitrust and consumer protection laws, as well as FCC oversight, are

sufficient to address any harms that may arise.

FTC Workshop Transcript & notes

Feb 13

  1. Opening Remarks
  2. Technical Background Panel
  3. What Is The Debate Over "Network Neutrality" About?
  4. Remarks By Commissioner Leibowitz
  5. Discrimination, Blockage, and Vertical Integration Panel
  6. Quality of Service, Tiering, and Charging Fees for Prioritized Delivery

Feb 14

  1. Current and Future State of Broadband Competition Panel
  2. Consumer Protection Issues Panel
  3. What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Industry Reviews Panel
  4. What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Academic and Policy Panel

Taken from the webcast

Comments to the workshop

Taken from here.

  • Bill D. Herman - Opening Bottlenecks: On Behalf of Mandated Network Neutrality pdfhtml
  • Rebecca Schwartz - Telecommunications Industry Association comments pdfhtml
  • Jon Peha of Carnegie Mellon argues for a balanced approach [1]pdf
    Abstract: A fundamental issue in the network neutrality debate is the extent to which network operators should be allowed to discriminate among Internet packet streams to selectively block, adjust quality of service, or adjust prices. This paper first reviews technology now available for traffic discrimination. It then shows how network operators can use this technology in ways that would make the Internet less valuable to Internet users, and why a network operator would have financial incentive to do this if and only if it has sufficient market power. A particular concern is that network operators could use discrimination to extract oligopoly rents from upstream markets that are highly competitive. This paper also shows how network operators can use the very same technology to discriminate in ways that benefit Internet users, as well as the network operator. Thus, network neutrality supporters are right to fear unlimited discrimination in some cases, while network neutrality opponents are right to fear a policy that imposes strict limits on discrimination. From this, we argue that the network neutrality debate should be refocused on the search for a balanced policy, which is a policy that limits the more harmful discriminatory practices in markets where there is insufficient competition, with little interference to beneficial discrimination or innovation. We apply this balanced policy in a few controversial scenarios as examples. There has been too little attention on the possibility of a nuanced balanced policy, in part because the network neutrality debate is focusing on the wrong issues. This paper argues that the debate should shift towards the complex details of differentiating harmful discrimination from beneficial discrimination, and away from high-level secondary questions like whether discrimination is inherently just, who ought to pay for certain Internet services, how important general design principles are, what abstract rights and freedoms consumers and carriers deserve, or whether network operators can give their affiliates special treatment. Reality is more complex than these questions would imply, and none of them will serve as a basis for a sufficiently specific and effective policy.
  • R. Bancroft suggests the FTC encourage voluntary disclosure of the existing packet management practices on a residential user's high-speed Internet access pdfhtml
  • Jay Sulzberger on 'the importance of distinguishing the Net from cable TV, and from lower level signal transport systems'. pdfhtml


Comments on the workshop

Seth's points

Seth points out the following key points that the Internet Society of New York (and the Internet Society in general) can make as critical stewards of the Internet standards-making process:

  • That the bodies that oversee the processes of Internet standards-making have not been given appropriate participation in the discussion
  • That the very process of Internet standards-making is at risk in the "network neutrality" debate, because the flexiiblity of the Internet transport and the diversity of applications that are made possible by it may very easily be affected by practices that would affect the transport
  • That the advantages of the existing protocols -- in particular the application flexibility of the Internet Protocol -- have not been acknowledged adequately in the debate
  • That in order to address policy questions related to "network neutrality" a distinction needs to be drawn between the nature and advantages of existing protocols and practices, and various practices that are being proposed

(I'll add more points as I think of them. As I think ISOC likely can see very well, it is eminently possible to issue a highly important statement that can focus on technical issues like the above, without necessarily moving to a place that is more polemical. The above points are chiefly about the responsibility that the Internet Society holds for assuring the integrity of standards. -- Seth)

ISOC policy statement

This policy statement needs to be strengthened:

http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/usercentricity/network_neutrality.shtml

The second definition listed at the top of the page needs updating; it reflects one way the issue was presented early on. There's a difference between treating similar applications alike, and supporting diverse applications by the design of the transport. Treating similar applications alike just as well would tend to make the Internet platform no longer flexible and generic, an actual medium for diverse applications. This is the difference between the transport and the applications above.

The wikipedia pages make this point.

ISOC NY can clarify this with your statement to the FTC, and this is a key insight you would bring to the FTC, who can't see the issue correctly yet. Remember that flexibility is the key, and we wouldn't have any reason to worry about the future of the standards or the flexibility of the Internet -- or even have any debate over "net neutrality" -- if the incumbents hadn't expressed an intention to use their position to establish practices that would make the transport non-generic.

Seth[2]


Cybertelecom.org

"Established in 1997, Cybertelecom is an educational non profit dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting participation in federal initiatives that impact the Internet."

The first link below is the most comprehensive overview on the subject I have found.

Links

Videos

Save the Internet!


Humanity Lobotomy - Second Draft


Sen. Ted Kennedy supports Net Neutrality