Save Internet freedom--from regulation

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What rules?

Exactly what rules would the net neutrality legislations allow the government to set? The only rule required is that what you would sell to Joe for $20 you cannot charge me $50 for or vice versa.
When a company totally controls the supply of a commodity (and bandwidth is a commodity) the logical way to increase profits is to limit the production of the commodity and sell it only to those that will pay the highest price. One might think that there would still be incentive to increase the supply of the commodity but there really isn't. Increasing the supply of the commodity increases costs but only dilutes value. So the ability to deny customers service by your whim is profitable financially.
It is also hugely profitable control-wise when the commodity you are in charge of is a major source of information and or business opportunity. Imagine the profit potential when not only do you get to say what it will cost to talk but who will get to talk at any price!
Unregulated 'free market' principles only work when A) anyone is free to get into the commodity production business and B) when anyone who can meet the price can make use of the commodity. The government has regulated the first part for decades and still does, particularly in the broadcast realm. Since sometime a year or so ago they have not regulated the second part and that is what the Net Neutrality proponents are trying to do; trying to make sure that AT&T and ComCast do not get to say "who says what to whom" on the Net. And that is what AT&T and ComCast have been spending millions to try and entrench their right to control.
No massive, invasive regulation is either necessary or proposed. All that is needed is to establish again (as was the case with earlier tele-com regulation) in law that the common carriers do not get to decide who gets to purchase their services, or who gets preferential pricing of those services.

Posted by: danm50   Posted on: 12/12/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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