http://tlf.disqus.com/The Technology Liberation Front is the tech policy blog dedicated to keeping politicians' hands off the 'net and everything else related to technology.enTue, 09 May 2006 11:45:00 -0000http://techliberation.com/2006/05/08/how-net-neutrality-regs-could-threaten-online-high-def-video/#comment-1445738<p><br>Wow, Barry, you haven't been reading TLF very long, have you? :) I ask because plenty of posts here have gone into some detail about what's wrong with NN regulation. In brief:<br></p><br><p><br>You say that ISPs will abuse their customers. Find me a case where this has actually happened. There's only one that I know of, a small-fry shop in North Carolina, and the matter was quickly settled. If anti-competitive behavior by ISPs becomes a widespread problem, then yes we should take steps to remedy it. <i>But</i> it's not a problem right now. Why solve a problem that doesn't exist? Don't we have enough work to do solving problems that <i>already</i> exist?<br></p><br><p><br>We have no NN regulation right now. If ISPs were going to abuse their customers as you describe, <i>why aren't they doing it already?</i><br></p><br><p><br>Furthermore, we <i>already</i> have a "truly competitive marketplace in telecommunications and entertainment". At least, the market is more competitive than it has been in, like, <i>ever</i>. NN regulation likely won't make the market more competitive. If existing communications regulations are any guide, it will make the market <i>less</i> competitive.<br></p>Matt ClineTue, 09 May 2006 11:45:00 -0000http://techliberation.com/2006/05/08/how-net-neutrality-regs-could-threaten-online-high-def-video/#comment-1445737Without network neutrality regulations in place, the cable companies will do to online video what the phone companies want to do to VoIP: abuse their position as a provider in an oligopolic marketplace to force the consumer to use their service or none at all.<br></br><br><br><br>The Internet provides the consumer with a tremendous number of additional choices, but without network neutrality, the ISPs will do everything in their power to maintain the status quo and prevent competitors from entering the market.<br><br>I just don't see how the "FCC bureaucrats suck" argument against network neutrality could possibly hold a candle to the threat of losing our big chance at a truly competitive marketplace in telecommunications and entertainment.<br></br>BarryMon, 08 May 2006 17:50:48 -0000