Net Neutrality

FYI it was announced yesterday that Verizon has now reached a deal with Netflix to have a direct link into their network to increase the streaming speed/quality to their subscribers. I have had no issues with the streaming of Netflix on my Fios so I am wondering how this will benefit me?

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-fcc-appears-to-be-letting-net-neutrality-die-84168935254.html

Tom Wheeler is a dumbass: http://consumerist.com/2014/04/30/fcc-chairman-id-rather-give-in-to-verizons-definition-of-net-neutrality-than-fight/

Good work, Obama:

“The idea of net neutrality (or the Open Internet) has been discussed for a decade with no lasting results,” writes Wheeler in a lengthy blog post. “Today Internet Openness is being decided on an ad hoc basis by big companies. Further delay will only exacerbate this problem.”

Once again, Wheeler completely glosses over the fact that the only reason a federal appeals court gutted the previous neutrality rules was because a shortsighted FCC never thought to categorize Internet service providers as vital communications infrastructure. As numerous supporters of a true net neutrality have repeatedly pointed out, reclassifying ISPs would likely mean the FCC could reinstate the old rules (and possibly more stringent ones) and survive a legal challenge.

But Wheeler doesn’t want to take that chance because he’d rather allow clever lawyers for the telecom industry to dictate the direction of net neutrality than use the clever (but less well-paid) lawyers at the FCC to figure out a solution that doesn’t undercut the entire notion of an open Internet.

Is there any chance, that if the FCC royally fucks up everything, that it could be changed back? Oh nevermind, that would mean that politicians aren't getting their bribes...er 'donations'.

pulling69 wrote:FYI it was announced yesterday that Verizon has now reached a deal with Netflix to have a direct link into their network to increase the streaming speed/quality to their subscribers. I have had no issues with the streaming of Netflix on my Fios so I am wondering how this will benefit me?

I would think not at all. The cost of netflix reaching that deal, however, inevitably means higher cost for netflix users.

Everyone should email the FCC. You can even find make-shift email bodies on Reddit:

openinternet@fcc.gov

“Under this terribly misguided proposal, the Internet as we have come to know it would cease to exist and the average American would be the big loser. We must not let private corporations turn bigger and bigger profits by putting a price tag on the free flow of ideas.

Our free and open Internet has made invaluable contributions to democracy both here in the United States and around the world. Whether you are rich, poor, young or old, the Internet allows all people to seek out information and communicate globally. We must not turn over our democracy to the highest bidder.”

- Bernie Sanders

There are rumblings of the bigger guys about to step into the game. IE Google, Netflix and whatnot.

pulling69 wrote:I have Fios and have not noticed any sort of throttling on any sites or file sharing service. Hell, I pay for a 15/15 plan that doesn't exist anymore and get 25/25. When I download off of Torrent my max speed is right around 3.6 megs a second, pretty close to maxing out the connection(but it really isn't as there are usually 2 other users in the house using the net at the same time).

ALL IS WELL!!!!

Fucking Wheeler says they are going to revise the new Net laws because of the outrage from the public, but nothing really changes. One of many articles out there

I know a lot of people don't want to have the gov't step in and regulate, but allowing these companies to continue to fleece the public doesn't seem like it is in the spirit of competition either. Oh wait, these companies have convinced the government they need to be a monopoly without any regulation. What the ****? 

GDI, the chick in my office is talking too loud for me to concentrate.

InTenSity wrote:

I know a lot of people don't want to have the gov't step in and regulate, but allowing these companies to continue to fleece the public doesn't seem like it is in the spirit of competition either. Oh wait, these companies have convinced the government they need to be a monopoly without any regulation. What the ****? 

To me, that's the bigger issue. You want a free market for a wireless? Go for it but that's not what the big providers wanted and not what they managed to get in those sweet heart deals. Instead we have government sanctioned monopolies and they're being allowed to operate like there's competition in the market place. They're having their cake and eating it too all while being allowed to screw over consumers thanks to the FCC and SC.

InTenSity wrote:Fucking Wheeler says they are going to revise the new Net laws because of the outrage from the public, but nothing really changes. One of many articles out there

I know a lot of people don't want to have the gov't step in and regulate, but allowing these companies to continue to fleece the public doesn't seem like it is in the spirit of competition either. Oh wait, these companies have convinced the government they need to be a monopoly without any regulation. What the ****? 

GDI, the chick in my office is talking too loud for me to concentrate.

Where is the Obama bashing among all of this? Just another poor decision in his "hope and change" campaign, similar to the lies he spewed about marijuana when he was running back in 2007. Wheeler is his lobbying crony.

Cosmo_Kramer wrote:

Where is the Obama bashing among all of this? Just another poor decision in his "hope and change" campaign, similar to the lies he spewed about marijuana when he was running back in 2007. Wheeler is his lobbying crony.

Like Romney would have been any better. The only ones holding this back are the general public and the 2 democrats. The 2 replublicans are ready to sign a blank sheet of paper giving full control to the corporations. Its not as if he can run for another term.

InTenSity wrote:
Like Romney would have been any better. The only ones holding this back are the general public and the 2 democrats. The 2 replublicans are ready to sign a blank sheet of paper giving full control to the corporations. Its not as if he can run for another term.

Never said Romney would be better, but that has no bearing on anything right now because Romney isn't president. Just saying to look at the relationship between Wheeler and Obama:

"Memo to a President who said, in November, 2007, “I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over”: If you are going to name a former lobbyist for big cable and wireless companies as head of the federal agency that regulates the cable and wireless industries, you had better find a public-interest-group advocate to say something positive about him (or her) before you make the announcement.

Job done."

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2013/05/tom--wheeler-federal-communications-commission.html

All you can do is hope Netflix, Google and any other big company where this goes against their interest stands up and tries to stop this.

Cosmo_Kramer wrote:

Never said Romney would be better, but that has no bearing on anything right now because Romney isn't president. Just saying to look at the relationship between Wheeler and Obama:

"Memo to a President who said, in November, 2007, “I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over”: If you are going to name a former lobbyist for big cable and wireless companies as head of the federal agency that regulates the cable and wireless industries, you had better find a public-interest-group advocate to say something positive about him (or her) before you make the announcement.

Job done."

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2013/05/tom--wheeler-federal-communications-commission.html

I see where you are coming from. Not sure what can be done about the appointment anymore though. The outrage needs to be directed towards the FCC and possibly your rep (I think they have to confirm the apppointment) it is the only way to try to stop this. 

How the hell is 'socialist' Europe more free about this than 'free capitalist' America?

The internet is too integral to daily life, both at home and in the workplace, to continue operating in the same way it has.  It really should be reclassified and given common carrier status.  It is effectively a utility now.

steveschneider wrote:All you can do is hope Netflix, Google and any other big company where this goes against their interest stands up and tries to stop this.

They're all over it, & bitching loudly about it. Hope it works.

SpartanInNH wrote:

They're all over it, & bitching loudly about it.  Hope it works.

Cause Netflix doesn't want to lose customers by raising prices. Supply and demand, but let's face it: Netflix's model isn't as powerful as it once was. HBO GO and Amazon get better products; albeit, people pay more for newer shows and movies.

Well, the shit is hitting the fan...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/05/15/fcc-approves-plan-to-allow-for-paid-priority-on-internet/

"The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted in favor of advancing a proposal that could dramatically reshape the way consumers experience the Internet, opening the possibility of Internet service providers charging Web sites for higher-quality delivery of their content to American consumers.

The plan, approved in a three-to-two vote along party lines, could unleash a new economy on the Web where an Internet service provider such as Verizon would charge a Web site such as Netflix for the guarantee of flawless video streaming.

The proposal is not a final rule, but the vote on Thursday is a significant step forward on a controversial idea that has invited fierce opposition from consumer advocates, Silicon Valley heavyweights, and Democratic lawmakers. The FCC will now open the proposal to a total 120 days of public comment. Final rules, aimed for the end of the year, could be rewritten after the agency reviews the public comments."

If you go to Wheelers wiki page it shows him as being a member of the cable hall of fame. Guy has been bought and paid for a long time ago.

I'm just going to go ahead and start contacting all my reps and senators. If I get time or see any pages that make it easy for people to find their own, I'll try to link it here. The sad thing is, the lady I work with was more concerned about jayZ and Solange, and had no idea what net neutrality was. When I sent her a couple of articles, she just said it was too difficult for her to understand and she went back to facebooking. Fucking millenials.

Internet logic:

3 Democrats vote against Net Neutrality, while 2 Republicans vote for it. Internet blames Romney and Republicans for lack of Net Neutrality.

Page to Senator contact information
Contact your Representative
FCC contact info - If calling supposedly you can get through, I think with 4-1-0
Link to comment on ruling

If you contact any officials, apparently just mention that you are opposed to the FCC ruling and you want ISP's to be reclassified as title II entities.

InTenSity wrote:I'm just going to go ahead and start contacting all my reps and senators. If I get time or see any pages that make it easy for people to find their own, I'll try to link it here. The sad thing is, the lady I work with was more concerned about jayZ and Solange, and had no idea what net neutrality was. When I sent her a couple of articles, she just said it was too difficult for her to understand and she went back to facebooking. Fucking millenials.

We live in an Idiocracy.

Sad thing is I just don't see what good writing reps and senators will do. If you read that Princeton study on this country being an Oligarchy it says that when a majority of citizens generally disagree with elites they generally lose.

Our best chance is if Google or Netflix or Amazon tries to halt this.

InTenSity wrote:Page to Senator contact information
Contact your Representative
FCC contact info - If calling supposedly you can get through, I think with 4-1-0
Link to comment on ruling

If you contact any officials, apparently just mention that you are opposed to the FCC ruling and you want ISP's to be reclassified as title II entities.

Or just tell Democrats that you won't vote for them if they continue with their plan to regulate the internet.

The big guys are already in on it and opposing it. I figure contacting my reps at least does something. The one thing they still fear is people waking up and voting them out of office. I can send a letter every day, and send one in on behalf of my wife.

A title 2 entity is a utility. Just say utility, since there are title 2s in almost every law.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/technology/fcc-road-map-to-net-neutrality.html?hp&_r=0

I wish more cities would just follow Chattanooga's example.  The city controls the fiber and took over as an ISP.  100 Mbps for $59.99/month or 1 Gbps for $69.99/month.  It would be a huge '**** you' to Comcast, TWC, etc.

More on Chattanooga's internet

“I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists — and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.”

-- Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA
November 10, 2007

     

Shows why calling your senator won't do jack and further support of how this country is really just an Oligarchy. Just read Meredith Attwell Baker section.

http://gizmodo.com/fcc-incest-meet-the-cable-cronies-who-control-net-neut-1579963216

I'll just leave this here.

The FCC servers have been down for at least 2 days now, or I couldn't get on them yesterday. Skip to about the last 5 or 6 minutes where he begs trolls to go troll the FCC.

InTenSity wrote:I'll just leave this here.

The FCC servers have been down for at least 2 days now, or I couldn't get on them yesterday. Skip to about the last 5 or 6 minutes where he begs trolls to go troll the FCC.

Beat me to it. That video sums up the entire issue very well and is hilarious.

Go John Oliver! Tweet responses were hilarious.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140602/17352727438/fcc-comment-page-buckles-to-its-knees-after-john-oliver-asks-everyone-to-comment.shtml

http://www.cnet.com/news/netflix-takes-aim-at-verizon-over-slow-data-speeds/



Get used to it.

BTW, the site crashed Monday, and yesterday went I went to comment, it was still conveniently down.

Mentalstate wrote:BTW, the site crashed Monday, and yesterday went I went to comment, it was still conveniently down.

Same here

The FCC site will probably be down until August.  

steveschneider wrote:http://www.cnet.com/news/netflix-takes-aim-at-verizon-over-slow-data-speeds/



Get used to it.

****  Verizon.

Verizon threatens Netflix with cease and desist letter

Today the slipping relationship between the pair has gotten even worse as Verizon sent a cease and desist letter to Netflix. The letter was sent to David Hyman, Netflix council, and it demands that Netflix immediately halts providing such notices to subscribers.