The Wall Street Journal has kicked up a real bitstorm
with an article implying that Google is now losing network neutrailty
street cred by negotiating with ISPs for a preferred "express lane" for
premium Internet content.
At issue is whether network service providers should be able to charge
more for faster access to high-bandwidth content such as video, and
whether content providers should negotiate exclusive deals with them.
Google has been a longtime proponent of "Network Neutraility" -- that
is, a free and open Internet that doesn't have a bias against certain
applications or content providers. The WSJ has called "scoop," saying
it has access to smoking-gun documents showing Google is negotiating
with the ISPs to create an express-lane Internet, directly
contradicting its past network neutrailty stance.
Several bloggers and "activists" have cried foul on the WSJ article,
saying it distorts Google's position. For example, Stanford professor,
lawyer, and media pundit Lawrence Lessig -- the first to bring himself
to the forefront of any issue -- says The Wall Street Journal is being sensationalistic, distorting both Google's position as well as his own.
"The article is an indirect effort to gin up a drama about a drama
about an alleged shift in Obama's policies about network neutrality,"
writes Lessig.
Anytime you put "gin" and The Wall Street Journal in the same sentence, I'd have to agree. Yes, the article is a bit sensationalistic. But The Journal also has a scoop, and all good journalists are taught to play up your story when you have a scoop. Don't be shy now, kids.
Still, they are following an existing model and at least so far, they can't be blamed of backing off from their original position on net neutrality.
The gigantic dimensions that Google is expanding too is certainly a big issue for policy/regulation evaluators/planners around the globe.
Trying to drive competition out of the market, as long as it is done by the market-rules (ie by not falling in any anti-compeititve law) isn't a bad thing. Whatsoever, all incumbents make a mistake at some point in time and that way give the chance for aggressive new comers to overthrow the king and become kings themselves.
Yes, I saw that. And linked to it. I see, so by trying to put Akamai out of business they are the liberators of bandwidth and champions of a new society.
Google came after the article's publication and argued that WSJ got things wrong and that they were negotiating deals AKAMAI-like, where google facilities would be duplicated in Telcos' CO to better serve end-customers.
Not sure exactly what you mean. Hedging what position? Heding their network neutrality position? By seeking a sweet deal on server placement? Not sure I understand
That's like saying I'm going to be a peacenik but hedge my bets by stocking up on nuclear arms.
It is important that WSJ show the evidence that google is seeking unfair advantage on the net and convince the readership why they think it is a bad thing.
I guess the important question is, what is the economic cost of net neutrality? Once we know this, the debate on whether it is good or bad will be carried out on an informed basis.
Guys and all those 'Activists" out there (As Scott calls them);Google is just being normal and following proper Risk Management and Hedging policies which every Organization should follow.
Major Manufacturers today Hedge part or whole of their Purchases in Currencies which are different from theirs.Do we accuse them of Manipulating Currencies???NO I DON'T THINK SO.
Similarly Google is just hedging their position.They still believe in Net Neutrality but are preparing and will be prepared for the eventuality if and when it arises that ISPs give Major Data Users preferred access to their Data pipes in addition for Higher Fees.What's the big deal there??? I think its very smart on Google's part.They realize they are a very big User of Data and if they fall on the wrong side of the fence their business and Reputation will suffer greatly.
Let say for Argument' sake-Google takes the High Ground and says we will never pay extra for Preferred ISP Access for their Search Business; MSN,Yahoo and ASK agree to pay extra bucks.What happens?
The Search results which a Consumer gets from Google Search will be atleast 10-20% slower than from Yahoo/MSN/ASK.So Users will eventually start switching sides.
Google is doing the right thing.As for WSJ they are also just doing their job.
Yes I agree, but honesty should be the principle binding consumers and producers. Let Google then clearly show they real position and we could know on which category to classify them. They are for Net Neutrality or they are not.
With this article out we could see the real position of Google whether they are "plotting" with the ISPs against us or not. What is sad in this business is that those companies always engage in alliances that will enable them to have a total control over consumers.
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