> All ISPs should be dumb pipes, nothing more. They should be regulated as
> Common Carriers. Monopolies should end. That would put an end to their BS.
> Not that I care a whit about Netflix, as I use XBMC for content.
I've got a 4G LTE cellphone of US Cellular. I pay for 6GB of data per
month to be shared across 4 phones. I also have a Sprint Hotspot with
3GB of data per month. I can use more, but I need to pay more.
Should the wireless carriers be held to the same standard with
wireline carriers? Should their data caps be eliminated? Or should
the wireline carriers be allowed to do the same thing as the wireless
carriers?
In reality, the "common carrier" myth of comparison to the classic
land-line is flawed. Your monthly bill typically only includes "free
and unlimited" access to local telephone numbers. Long-distance is
extra. Granted, you get various long-distance packages now that you
can buy that for $10-20 per month you can get unlimited LD (with some
restrictions), but for the most part, long-distance is a "pay to use"
feature not included in your base rate.
If we apply the same "rules" to data as we do to voice carriers, then
you would see a plethora of new rules and regulations that would
easily trump any perceived gain from "Net Neutrality" (which is a
myth, anyway). For example, let's look at all the fees, taxes and
surcharges on a classic land-line telephone. There is anywhere from
$15 to $25 in forced charges and taxes on a land-line telephone which
are NOT part of any data access package today. These are government
forced and not negotiable. Shoot, I even have a $5 surcharge to pay
for telephone service for people who can't afford a telephone.
Net Neutrality laws will result in higher monthly costs and metered rates.
Oh, well. Like I said, I win no matter what. I own LOTS of telecom stock.
AG
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