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Google calls for fast lane Internet

by on16 December 2008

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Net neutrality doomed


Long-time advocate of net neutrality, Google, has been secretly chatting to major cable and phone companies that carry Internet traffic with a proposal to create a fast lane for its own content.

According to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, it seems that Google is suddenly siding with the phone and cable companies who argued that Internet content providers should share in their network costs. Ironically, one major cable operator in talks with Google says it does not want to strike a deal because of concern it might anger the FCC guidelines on network neutrality.

Meanwhile, Microsoft and Yahoo have withdrawn quietly from a coalition formed two years ago to protect network neutrality. Each of them have worked out deals with the phone and cable companies in the advent of a change in law. This could be a huge problem in the long term. If the big companies get an easy ride off the Internet because they have more cash, it means that smaller competition cannot get faster access.

More here.
Last modified on 17 December 2008
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