February 2009

A group of more than 75 Web-focused companies and organizations, including such heavyweights as Google, eBay and Amazon, are calling on Canadian regulators to develop a "nuanced" approach when it comes to the thorny issue of phone and cable companies that manage Internet traffic on their networks. In filings this week to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission in advance of a July probe into the issue of Internet traffic management, the group rejected the suggestion put forward by Bell Canada Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. that certain bandwidth-intensive applications need to be actively managed in order to prevent them from bogging down the Internet. Both Bell and Rogers currently use special software to sniff out mainly peer-to-peer file sharing protocols such as BitTorrent and put them in the equivalent of an Internet slow lane during peak periods of usage.

Several ISPs, the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority, the Norwegian Cable TV Association, and consumer groups have all signed on today to a new document outlining Network Neutrality principles. The new rules lay out three guidelines. First, Internet users must be given complete and accurate information about the service they are buying, including capacity and quality. Second, users are allowed to send and receive content of their choice, use services and applications of their choice. and connect any hardware and software that doesn't harm the network. Finally, the connection cannot be discriminated against based on application, service, content, sender, or receiver. Within those guidelines, though, ISPs still retain tremendous freedom to act as they choose. The second principle, for instance sounds more than a bit like the FCC's current Internet policy statement, and it should—it was adapted from the FCC principles. Like the FCC principles, the right to freely use a connection is limited to legal uses, so it does not preclude ISPs from blocking access some P2P file-sharing or all child pornography. In the US, this has already lead ISPs to suggest that even intrusive deep packet inspection of user traffic would be acceptable, so long as the goal was rooting out such illegal uses. Principle three prohibits traffic discrimination in general, but does allow "traffic management efforts on an operator's own network to block activities that harm the network, comply with orders from the authorities, ensure the quality of service for specific applications that require this, deal with special situations of temporary network overload or prioritize traffic on an individual user's connection according to the user's wishes."

President Barack Obama officially nominated former Washington Governor Gary Locke for Secretary of Commerce. In this key role on the administration's economic team, Locke will work to foster and promote the nation's economic development at home, and serve as an influential ambassador for American industry abroad. President Obama noted, "It is entrepreneurship and industry that are the wellsprings of an economy that has been the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history. It is America's workers and businesses that employ them that will determine our economic destiny. It is the task of the Department of Commerce to help create conditions in which our workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive, and our economy can grow. That's what Gary did in Washington state, convincing businesses to set up shop and create the jobs of the 21st century -- jobs in science and technology; agriculture and energy -- jobs that pay well and can't be shipped overseas. That's what he did by establishing favorable markets abroad where Washington state's businesses could sell their products. That's what he did by unleashing powerful partnerships between state and local governments, between labor and business -- all with an eye toward prosperity and progress for all those in his state who had dreams of their own." Gov Locke said, "Our nation's economic success is tied directly to America continuing to lead in technology and innovation, and in exporting those products, services and ideas to nations around the globe. The Department of Commerce plays a critical role in nurturing innovation, expanding global markets, protecting and managing our ocean fisheries, and fostering economic growth. The Department of Commerce can and will help create the jobs and the economic vitality our nation needs."

Rural America needs broadband. The Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group has two goals: to articulate national broadband policies that provide opportunities for rural communities to participate fully in the nation's democracy, economy, culture, and society; and to spark national collaboration among rural broadband advocates. The group offers there principles: 1) Communication as a fundamental human right. 2) There is no one-size-fits-all solution for all rural communities. 3) Local ownership, self reliance, and investment in place. 4) Network Neutrality.