The controversy over net neutrality has received what could be a real alternative. Two groups, one called Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) and the other group called New Yorkers for Fair Use are both proposing a new plan that will allow broadband service providers to create tiered networks but only for specific customers and applications.
The two groups are comprised of technologists and business people and their proposal seems to have turned some heads. The CDT issued a statement claiming:
We believe that companies investing in broadband networks should be free to use those networks for a wide range of non-Internet services on terms and conditions of their own choosing. For that reason, we believe that “Internet†neutrality better reflects the proper scope of the issue than does “network†neutrality. Our recommendation is to distinguish between “networks†and “the Internet†and to focus the policy debate on the latter.
Splitting the net neutrality debate down the middle is a proposal to distinguish what is "network neutrality" and "Internet neutrality". According to both groups, service providers should not be allowed to create a tiered Internet but should be allowed to customize their networks and bandwidth.
The New Yorkers for Fair Use similarly agreed with the CDT, saying that tiered networks would be acceptable if it did not impede on the competition. In fact, the plan proposed by the CDT would allow Congress to monitor networks to see if service providers were violating the agreement -- although privacy advocates would be up in arms on this one. Both companies said that Congress needs to look over net neutrality and re-examine in detail the factors that apply to the Internet and not other network types. DailyTech previously reported that Congress is proposing a new act called the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act (COPE) that would give more funds over to the government and allow service providers to create tiers in limited conditions.
Despite COPE and all the fuss over net neutrality, analysts say that the new proposals by CDT and The New Yorkers for Fair Use may just be the right answer for the future of the Internet.
The two groups are comprised of technologists and business people and their proposal seems to have turned some heads. The CDT issued a statement claiming:
We believe that companies investing in broadband networks should be free to use those networks for a wide range of non-Internet services on terms and conditions of their own choosing. For that reason, we believe that “Internet†neutrality better reflects the proper scope of the issue than does “network†neutrality. Our recommendation is to distinguish between “networks†and “the Internet†and to focus the policy debate on the latter.
Splitting the net neutrality debate down the middle is a proposal to distinguish what is "network neutrality" and "Internet neutrality". According to both groups, service providers should not be allowed to create a tiered Internet but should be allowed to customize their networks and bandwidth.
The New Yorkers for Fair Use similarly agreed with the CDT, saying that tiered networks would be acceptable if it did not impede on the competition. In fact, the plan proposed by the CDT would allow Congress to monitor networks to see if service providers were violating the agreement -- although privacy advocates would be up in arms on this one. Both companies said that Congress needs to look over net neutrality and re-examine in detail the factors that apply to the Internet and not other network types. DailyTech previously reported that Congress is proposing a new act called the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act (COPE) that would give more funds over to the government and allow service providers to create tiers in limited conditions.
Despite COPE and all the fuss over net neutrality, analysts say that the new proposals by CDT and The New Yorkers for Fair Use may just be the right answer for the future of the Internet.