Gregory Szorc's blog

Money is the Root of All Evil and Network Neutrality

"Money is the root of all evil," says a common proverb. Let's apply this proverb to the current internet neutrality debate, and see if we can identify why certain groups have chosen their side.

The Carriers

The carriers are opposed to internet neutrality because in its absence, they could institute a tiered pricing platform, extorting money from more affluent clients. The residential carriers might be able to discriminate against services competing with their own, attracting users to their own services, giving them more revenue.

Network Equipment Manufacturerers

They are opposed to network neutrality because an internet with specialized routing rules requires special network infrastructure, which this group manufactures and sells. Service providers everywhere would have a need to buy specialized network devices. These groups profit from a non-neutral internet.

Content Providers

They favor network neutrality because in a non-neutral network, carriers can blackmail these groups into paying more money to them by saying they won't provide the same quality of service for services competing against the carriers' own. They like not having to pay more than the cost to push data through the pipes. They don't want to see a change to this system so they have more money.

So there you have it. Everything boils down to money. Everybody just wants more of it. It isn't that difficult of a debate, really. Since this is a Congressional matter, it is just about what sides want to spend more right now (lobbying) to get (or save) money later. After all, to Congress, the internet is just a series of pipes. Whoever takes a dumptruck full of money and dumps it on the hill will earn votes.

You can ping this entry by using http://blog.case.edu/gps10/mt-tb.cgi/8814 .

Yes, it definitely is about money for the companies. But, one of the functions of a government is to protect public goods. (Think national highway system.) The Internet, as I would classify it, is a public good. So I think the government should take the side which benefits the public the most. Which side that is is arguable.

Though, I know they won't do that. They'll do what the lobbyists tell/pay them to do. But, when I am arguing with someone about Net Neutrality, I frame it in the context of what is best for the public.

yeahh I'm Poland fan,I do not understand your language - is so hard for me ;) i'm sorry, I did not answer long... my english is so weak an I think that you understand me ;)

Hello,

Your site is really interesting. We have a blog abot making money ideas. We would link exchange ideas with your site.

If you agree this, please put our link to Making Money Ideas and please alert us to this email omarinho@gmail.com

http://making-money-ideas.blogspot.com

Obviously we will put a link to your blog, too.

Actually the lack of Money is the Root of All Evil