Transcript - EFF
Net/ Internet Neutrality PREPARED FOR EFF-Austin February 15, 2007 Internet neutrality The architects of the Internet had no idea what this network would ultimately be used for. It was architected so their ignorance wouldn’t stop it from developing. This principle is what made the revolution possible. - Larry Lessig 2 2 Internet neutrality Unlimited accessibility (limited exceptions) - Any consumer with an internet connection can access a data network which has no discriminatory restrictions and attach any kind of equipment, post any content, provide any service and communicate in any manner in a way that does not degrade one set of communications for another. All routers deliver all packages equally without regard to content - non-discrimination - each user can send and receive traffic to or from any location on the internet. Allows users to create and use new services, applications, protocols and devices without negotiating or even consulting with network operators. (WWW. VOIP, IM. Independently developed). Users have the freedom to connect at different speeds and service levels according to needs and budgets. Network operators interconnect freely 3 3 Internet neutrality Preserving the Internet rather than, non-internet services carried over broadband networks. Preserving the internet as an open platform for speech and innovation without gatekeepers or centralized control is seen as the defining issue. The focus should be on “internet neutrality” not “network neutrality”. Protect the essential characteristics of internet service that exist now and use the least intrusive means of doing so. 4 4 Internet neutrality “The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. Let us protect the neutrality of the net” - Tim Berners-Lee 5 5 The ISP position Special arrangements with certain subscribers Private networks - branded services Preferred packages, prioritized delivery and quality Investing in new bandwidth - capital markets Costs of new networks, installing equipment and ills Swamping - Increased demands especially video Investments will not meet demand - max-out bandwidth Rapid development of new technologies - rich media, etc. Users moving away from traditional phone companies Legislation not necessary 6 6 Potential ISP action Control of information Preferred packages Tiered offerings Excessive lag Prohibition on activities, (such as on-line games, free telephone) Marginalization of non-profitable services Traffic analyzers and monitoring software Megamergers 7 7 Internet neutrality “There is always a rhythm to the space between things” - DJ Spooky 8 8 Recent suggestions Change from flat rate Maximizing profits by discriminating on non-internet-based activities Dealing with the heavy users (80% of traffic generated by small minority) Virtual toll booths Proactive intervention New legislation - potential house vote - include net neutrality provisions Broader offerings help make the Internet more attractive 9 9 The world is changing Numerous new media, entertainment, business, communication applications are internet based The shift from broadcast to networked Desire to heighten experience - multi-sensory Growth in user-determined personalized media Bottom up and top-down content creation Standardization of tools, payment methods, parallel marketplaces Desire for augmentation and enhancement To connect, create, share, select, transform, remix Desire for real-time, ubiquitous access 10 10 The world is changing Quad delivery (internet, IPTV, VOD, Audio) Multi-user, multi-channel, multi-position Collaborative tables and tools Virtual tourism, geolocation, annotated environments User generated video, open source video 3D environments (converged with video) Affective systems, proactive computing Emotive systems and intuitive interfaces Ubiquity of media tied together with/by broadband Delivery/exchange (P2P), podcasts Fully integrated with common digital formats (Powerpoint, Excel, Quicktime, web-browsers Immersive gaming / telepresence CRM / data management Global, arts ….. 11 11 Some open questions Defining the term of Internet Who owns the internet? Ownership v.s. access. Does bandwidth provision / router represent ownership or access? Router v.s. social rights? Are all packets equal? Is the internet simply becoming a marketplace? Democracy v.s. hyper-capitalism Does that change how stakeholders should behave or rights? Who are the future stakeholders are they different? What is the minimum level of internet neutrality? How do we decide the priorities? Multiple fee levels? Who decides? 12 12 Some open questions Services, packages, frequency of use, bandwidth consumption? Internet v.s. special services Which new services will impact these decisions? Media, business, entertainment, collaboration, data management? What about the future - a new internet structure? Parallel? Will we ever keep up with bandwidth needs? Quality of service. Convergence on IP. Who Invests? Do we need legislation? What is the compromise position? Impact on wireless networks? Emergency lanes? 13 13 The audience Which side of the debate did you enter? On which side did you leave? 14 14