Net Neutrality

Major tech companies sent a letter addressed to the FCC and Congress today in opposition to President Obama’s stance on Net Neutrality. The letter, sent by the Technology Industry Association (TIA), was signed by more than 60 companies including Cisco, dLink, IBM, and Intel. Outlining a trickle-down effect that would ultimately lead to stifling technological investments, the scope of the letter is that reclassification under Title II of the Telecommunications Act is a bad thing. It also serves as a line in the sand, as other tech companies like Netflix or Amazon support reclassification.

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German leader Angela Merkel made comments earlier in the week on the topic of net neutrality, an important issue being discussed by a number of European governments, not to mention the U.S. Unfortunately for those in support of an internet with speeds unregulated by telecommunications companies, Chancellor Merkel doesn't feel the same, arguing instead for the controversial "two-lane" setup that has many users concerned.

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Netflix is no stranger to running afoul of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). At various turns along their way, Netflix has struck agreements to push their content onto screens across the country. According to the FCC, this amounts to an Internet “fast lane” — the very thing Netflix is arguing we shouldn’t have. Though the company is very outspoken regarding net neutrality, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai says their actions don’t match what they say. To his mind, Netflix is taking step to “effectively secure” Internet fast and slow lanes.

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Does a privacy policy really promise privacy, and is that Bill Gates or Steve Jobs? Turns out, not everyone is entirely up to speed on how the internet operates or where it came from, with new research from Pew Internet suggesting the US "Web IQ" is patchy at best. The survey firm checked recognition among internet users on topics like net neutrality, what Twitter's character limit is, and when the first iPhone was released, finding that while some topics are well understood, a lot of the basics could still do with some explaining.

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Time and time again, we find that Internet Service Providers (ISP) are at a impasse about net neutrality. They like the idea of it, just not the oversight or practice of being governed in any way. Most, like Comcast, simply offer their own solutions. Most ISPs also vow to uphold net neutrality, saying it’s their vision for the future anyway. AT&T, however, is sitting on their wallet. Their CEO is now saying AT&T will throttle back on any network investments until the net neutrality discussion yields results.

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With President Obama noting his stance on net neutrality yesterday, it gave a big push to proponents of a free and open flow of information. The “last mile” debate will still go on, with various ISPs making their position known, likely behind closed doors. One of the largest, Comcast, posted their stance on the issue today via their blog. Titled “Surprise! We agree with the President’s principles on net neutrality”, Comcast is firmly backing what we want, but may not be in favor of how we want to achieve it.

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Today, President Obama sided with you and I. Like most of you reading this (sadly, not all), “Barry” wants his Internet free and open, just like it is right now. Barry wants to be able to check his stock quotes and brag his holdings up via Facebook, just like he can (but probably doesn’t) today. though the FCC doesn’t necessarily have to heed his words any more than they would yours or mine, the leader of the free world siding with his constituents makes a bolder statement than any — well, statement.

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Nearing the end of his second and final term, President Obama is attempting to leave us with the Internet we all want. The ongoing discussion about “net neutrality” is nuanced in some very important ways, but Obama is on our side. Via a statement and accompanying video, Obama says he is urging the FCC to “do everything they can to protect net neutrality for everyone”. No “fast lanes”, no “tiered offerings”, no nonsense. Our President wants a free and open Internet, too.

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Having campaigned in support of net neutrality during the 2008 election, President Barack Obama last week spoke out in opposition to recent FCC proposals that threaten to bring about "paid prioritization." Obama said he was against the creation of internet "fast lanes," which would allow ISP to charge users a higher price for faster speeds when it comes to content and data.

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Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings doesn't hesitate when it comes to voicing his opinion, and he has had quite a bit to say about net neutrality and related issues. He has once again taken up a pen and put his thoughts out for all to hear, this time zeroing in on large ISPs and the mergers that create them.

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Speaking at the US Africa Leaders Summit, President Obama had some interesting remarks regarding net neutrality. The ongoing discussion has clearly worked its way into the White House, and the President’s comments could indicate there is internal discourse on the matter.

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Netflix is calling out Verizon for its network slowing streaming video, showing viewers with jerky playback a message blaming the ISP for being over-saturated. Suggesting that "The Verizon network is crowded right now," the pop-up comes on the heels of a deal signed between the two companies supposedly for faster video streaming, though one which Netflix itself was loathe to agree to.

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