The Net Neutrality Thread

[NIK]

Very astute.

[joew771]

They could very easily offer a better overall service, but they're quickly recognizing that by offering a crappy service, they can charge more to get a select few to pay up for a "fast lane" approach

So any business should just offer the absolute best of what they have to offer for the same price as the lesser option? Maybe they have different options for different customers with different needs? A broadband speed of 5 should cost more than a speed of 1 shouldn't it?

A provider, or airline, could set everyone at the same internet speed, or board people together, but why should they? Because they can? That doesn't make sense. Apple could provide everything they sell at cost if they wanted to, selling Ipads for $40 or whatever it is, but they don't because they want to make money. So they charge more than what the product is actually worth.

That's what businesses do. That is business 101. That's how people make money and have jobs.

[kjf]

That's not a very good analogy. No one is saying they shouldn't make a profit. The OP is comparing current ISP practices to airlines intentionally making their product suck for the sole purpose of charging more.

OP is not saying that an ISP should remove different bandwidth tiers. OP is saying that they shouldn't intentionally make YouTube videos load slow just so they can charge Google for the bandwidth you already paid for.

[joew771]

Isn't offering different speeds the same thing? Whether it is slowing down youtube or slowing down the speed in general by using different tiers. They are intentionally making some slower than others (sucky) for the sole purpose that they can charge more for the premium service. They could provide all their customers with the same level of service, the 'maximum', but they don't. What is the difference? Both internet providers and airlines and everywhere else offer less than the 'maximum' for people who can't afford it and to make money.

If the people who pay less have slower access to the internet or a plane or anything else, that's life.

[kjf]

Offering different tiers for fair prices (which arguably they aren't) allows customers to pick whatever bandwidth option they want. But once paid for, the customer can use that bandwidth however they choose.

If they only want to offer their premium package, and charge accordingly, they can do that too. No one is suggesting they give everyone premium bandwidth for the economy price, just like no one is suggesting that everyone get first class seats for the economy price.

OP is suggesting that intentionally congesting the bandwidth you already paid for, like congesting the boarding process, is shady dealing.


Imagine you paid for your internet, and one day you find that all the Bay sites start choking hard. 30 seconds to load a Suprbay thread? 50 seconds to load a torrent description page? There is nothing wrong with any of the Bay servers. But your ISP decided that since the Bay won't pay to use the "fast lane" they will intentionally make browsing their sites a sucky experience. But if the Bay magically coughs up the money, all of a sudden their sites will be accessible again. Just like if you pay a little extra, you can board the plane before the masses. Even though you already bought the ticket and have your assigned seat.


Like you said, it is business. No one is surprised they are trying to make an extra dollar. But that is hardly justification. (and no one is getting a job or a raise because of it, unless you count the CEO and shareholders)

[joew771]

I don't know of any reputable internet providers that throttle someone's connection without first providing the terms of it to customers. Many of them do throttle bandwidth purposely and shame on them, but if you read your contract you'll see that that is probably what you agreed to. So shame on you if you buy it, not them.

[kjf]

That's just it. They are not throttling your internet connection. They are throttling the connections of content providers that don't pay up.

[joew771]

"For months people have posted traceroutes as undeniable proof that large ISPs like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon had intentionally been throttling subscriber Netflix streams. However, as we've been noting, simple route analysis doesn't tell the whole story, and it's not always possible to determine where video transit breakdowns are occurring without direct access to ISP network data "

^ a link from the OP.

Which means that no one knows why any slowdowns may be occuring, as I'm sure suprbay is used to. Sometimes you just don't know.

""Netflix does not seem overly concerned regarding Net Neutrality, and continues to believe that violations would be escalated quickly. Netflix also indicated that it has no evidence or belief that its service is being throttled."

^ from a link in the OP, or maybe one further. idk.

They both deny any throttling by the other, so I think it's safe to assume that it is either a misunderstanding or misrepresentation, or manipulationg by the OP, or that both company's are in deep negotiations to purposely swindle and mislead the public, which I doubt, and which if true, would get them into serious legal trouble. I highly doubt 'Mike' stumbles upon a multimillion dollar conspiracy.

[kjf]

This isn't about what they have or haven't been caught doing. It is about what they have the legal right to do in the name of bigger profits.

[joew771]

OK! But the airlines still have nothing to do with it. Boarding procedures my ass. I can create a more efficient way of doing just about anything, and so can most people. And then I'll patent that procedure, and be rich!