Google and [insert any wireless carrier here] are the last two entities in the world that we'd expect to issue a joint statement on net neutrality, seeing how Google firmly believes the FCC should enforce it regardless of medium while
carriers generally want to be exempted -- but Verizon and The Goog have put their differences aside for just one day to put together a thoughtful, lengthy piece on the subject. There aren't any surprises in the piece other than the fact that CEOs Lowell McAdam and Eric Schmidt are personally attributed to the statement, but it echoes what most ISPs have been saying since new FCC chair Julius Genachowski came into play: they generally acknowledge that a free, unhindered internet has led to a better world and that it's in everyone's best interest to make sure that it continues to be that way. They go on to say that "there will be disagreements along the way" -- Google and Verizon don't see eye-to-eye on the finer points, for example -- but that they're all looking forward to a spirited debate with the folks over in Washington. Ultimately, the FCC's ability to effectively police true neutrality on wireless networks ties in deeply with its ability to free up a
lot more spectrum -- something the CTIA's been pushing for lately -- and Genachowski recently mentioned that they'd be looking into it, so this could all end up working out without any broken hearts or black eyes.
posted Oct 21st 2009 10:29PM
considering the whole droid thing i'd say they're putting their differences aside for longer than just one day, there Engadget.
Verizon? VERIZON?!
anyone else think this is Verizon just trying to stay on the feds good side? i mean this is the company that doesn't include anything, and charges you for every feature they have.
No worse than AT&T
This is a smart move. Verizon has done a much better job investing in their infrastructure than AT&T. Net neutrality and open internet initiatives are going to raise the bar when it comes to the networks required to handle the volume of data that is going to be exchanged. Any competitor that can't handle the increased data usage is going to see their infrastructure choke and their customers leave due to slow connections.
Take two guys who have been working out, one who pushed himself to the limit and the other that just took his time, and then tell them both they're going to compete in ironman in a week. Who will win?
Although totally unexpected, this is not the first time Verizon has broken ties with all other telecoms and supported pro-consumer policies. They originally fought hard against local number portability, but then did a complete turnaround and fully supported it.