Google’s MCI Vet to fix ‘Neutrality’ Message

GOOGLE'S MCI VET TO FIX 'NEUTRALITY' MESSAGE
[SOURCE: GigaOM, AUTHOR: Paul Kapustka]
[Commentary] Fear not, network neutrality fans: Google is still on your side, and is working hard to make sure its sometimes mixed messages on the topic are more harmonious in the future. That was the word from Rick Whitt Tuesday, as Google’s new “Washington Telecom and Media Counsel” made his net-neutrality big-stage debut, as part of a panel at the Spring 2007 VON show in San Jose. Before mixing it up with telco opponents at one of the historically premier events for NN debate, Whitt wanted to clear up any doubts raised by some recent public comments from other employees of the search colossus. “There is no change in Google’s [net neutrality] stance at all,” said Whitt, who didn't try to deny the quote from Senior Policy Counsel Andrew McLaughlin -- “Net neutrality will ultimately be solved by competition in the long-run” -- but rather to qualify it: “Andrew has given that pitch a lot,” said Whitt, who agreed that in the long run -- “about 20 years” -- competition might make net neutrality moot. “But it [broadband competition] is not there anytime soon, and that’s why now a strong network neutrality [law] has to be the solution.”
http://gigaom.com/2007/03/21/googles-mci-vet-to-fix-neutrality-message/