Monday, February 11, 2008

Network Neutrality

Network neutrality refers to a principle that is applied to residential broadband networks, and potentially to all networks. A broadband network free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, on the modes of communication allowed, that does not restrict content, sites, or platforms and where communication is not unreasonably degraded by other communication streams would be considered neutral by most observers.
When asked the question "Would you make it a priority in your first year of office to reinstate Net neutrality as the law of the land? And would you pledge to only appoint FCC commissioners that support open Internet principles like Net neutrality?" Barack Obama replied,
"The answer is yes. I am a strong supporter of Net neutrality."

Visit http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9806707-7.html for more information on Obama's views

"Supporters worry that if the government does not enact net neutrality legislation, free speech, innovation, and fair business practices will all be left in jeopardy.
Opponents of net neutrality legislation, including Senator John McCain, say that regulating Internet providers threatens not free speech or fairness, but free market principles."

And for other candidates views on Network Neutrality visit

<http://www.laptopmag.com/Features/Where-the-Presidential-Candidates-Stand-on-Technology-Issues.htm?Page=2>

As an network dependent generation what are your views on network neutrality?

2 comments:

benji said...

regulating internet providers so that they don't regulate the people is a violation of freedom of speech? yeah, thanks McCain. That really makes sense.

Keith Chin said...

Well, as an idea, everyone having the same level of internet access seems great, but it can't always be true. Some people obviously pay for more with T1 lines, while some people simply have normal DSL, and others aren't in a broadband covered zone and must resort to dial-up networks. While it would be great to at least give everyone the opportunity to get whatever internet access they want, some people are simply able to pay more, and therefore can have a better connection to their house. In my opinion, complete net neutrality seems like giving everyone HD satellite TV without charging extra. Not restricting content, sites, and platforms is great, but quality of service seems like something that has to be tiered.