Source:
Washington PostA proposed net neutrality regulation at the Federal Communications Commission would allow broadband service providers to prioritize their own content over that of competitors. The draft proposal also would allow broadband network operators to charge consumers based on how much data they use, according to one source at the FCC who has seen the draft of rules.
What that means is that a company such as Comcast could make its soon-to-be acquired library of NBC content cheaper to watch and delivered at better quality than streaming videos from competitors like Netflix, the source and experts said. Add the permission of usage based pricing, which the source said Comcast insisted on in meetings with the FCC chairman’s staff, and you could see a scenario where users would be less inclined to subscribe to Netflix because they would meet their usage caps and end up spending more money for competing services.
“This allows for fast and slow lanes and while it suggests it would be a negative thing, no where does it say it violates the principle of rules,” the sources said on the condition of anonymity because the document hasn’t been made public.
The source said the FCC would require network operators disclose how they are managing services that allow for prioritization of certain content. But for enforcement purposes, carriers don’t have to prove it is reasonable so there is less burden on the carrier.
Read more:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/12/a_proposed_net_neutrality_regu.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
