A very disturbing article about the future of the Internet

[Armstead]

It's an article about the slowing down of Netfix for many consumers. But it also explains the larger framework in which the public is ultimately held hostage for access to intrnet content...just as they are for cable.


http://business.time.com/2014/02/19/netflix-verizon-peering/
Here’s Why Your Netflix Is Slowing Down

Financial disputes over peering are threatening the video service
EXCERPT:

The FCC’s 2010 Open Internet order prohibited broadband companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from blocking or discriminating against rival services on their networks. But last month, a federal court struck down most the FCC’s order, because the agency had earlier failed to classify broadband as a “telecommunications” service, which would have allowed it to establish “common carrier” regulations prohibiting the broadband giants from discriminating against rival services.

In the wake of that ruling, the nation’s largest broadband companies insisted that they remain committed to open Internet principles. But the FCC’s order specifically exempts “existing arrangements for network interconnection, including existing paid peering arrangements.” That means that peering deals aren’t covered by the rules. Now, it appears that the big broadband companies are shifting the battle over net neutrality from the so-called “last mile” consumer connection to private peering deals that weren’t covered by the FCC’s order in the first place.

“The dominant broadband companies have been working to favor their own services for years,” says Lauren Weinstein, a tech policy expert who supports net neutrality and is a consultant to Google. “These broadband companies have absolute control of access to subscribers, which gives them enormous leverage in commercial peering agreements to the detriment of all competitors, and consumers are unaware because these agreements are typically not public.”

MORE

[KoKo]

1. Personal experience with ATT and streaming Netflix, Acorn TV and Amazon...

The last few weeks there have been slowdowns with all three services. We never had a problem with Netflix even when Acorn and Amazon downloads would slow...but this week our Netflix started to drop and restart. We use Roku box for those services and have ATT DSL. We've noticed it happening more on the weekends but this week we have two incidents just around 10:00 pm or so on weeknight.

In addition our internet service has dropped connection for our computers so that we are on the phone with Earthlink almost every weekend. They won't explain what the problem is but, one time they said there was a "block" on our connection and we weren't the only one's who had a block and they were working to correct it. We have upgraded our router and modem so those are not the problem. Earthlink is the server for our ATT DSL. It has cost us much in time and money...since we both use our computers at home for business reports and when you are in the middle of a project and have to take out hours to deal with an Earthlink rep (who often is hard to understand being they are in another country) resetting everything it costs us money and productivity.

We have business friends who are unhappy with TimeWarner Roadrunner for their internet and cable and ATT's U-Verse. Dropped signals and lack of connectivity seems to be the big problem and customer service sounds worse than Earthlink in some cases.

So...we are supposed to do everything ONLINE these days...and yet the system is broken and only going to get worse with the demise of Net Neutrality. They want us to pay more for "tiered service" just like the Cable companies have forced us to do. And, they won't stop until they get it...imho.

[Armstead]

2. Makes me wonder about my girlfriend's Roku box

The last month or so her Roku box has been working vbery poorly. Channels and programs either don't load or are subject to constant delays in mid-program.

We thought something might be wrong with her Roku machine, but now i wonder.

[KoKo]

3. Armstead ...You might like to watch this!

Just wanted to post this because after I replied to you I was on Bloomberg Business and this fascinating New Invention to Solve our Wireless Problems came up.

I hope you can get the video snip of this in this post. Maybe "Hope" is on the way with a new Invention...although I am very skeptical...it sounds good! Not having to deal with underground wires for our Phone Companies to allow us to get better service might really be the way to go!

HERE:

Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Steve Perlman, founder & CEO at Rearden, and John Sculley, former CEO at Apple, discuss the development of pCell technology that ends cell phone dead zones and opens up high-speed wireless communication to all on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg Surveillance.”

VIDEO AT SITE: (If you can't get it from this link...just PM me and I'll try to find the original source)

http://www.businessweek.com/videos/2014-02-19/sculley-pcell-changes-rules-for-mobile-wireless

[Armstead]

4. thanks will check it out

[KoKo]

5. The Hopeful Thing is that this might be good for Consumers .......

If you can get back control of our airwaves and Telecoms are happy not "building out the wires" because it's too complicated and expensive for them.

Cut a deal and allow Perlman's GIZMO to take care of it all for Consumers & Telcoms...and "EVERYONE IS HAPPY."

[JaneyVee]

6. The Internet should be a public utility.

[Armstead]

11. I agree

[jsr]

12. Recommend