The Spotlight Refocuses on Net Neutrality

"Net Neutrality" refers to the concept that a network should be blind to the content it carries, in order to encourage efficient and innovative use of the network. The Internet has historically been largely neutral to the content it carries, but broadband providers have recently begun exploring methods to offer different levels of network performance based on the type of content being transmitted. For example, service could be offered on the basis that a streaming video from a preferred vendor could download faster than other material, thereby justifying a premium for the vendor. In exchange for the higher quality of service for the vendor, the vendor, or perhaps the end-user, would pay the broadband provider a "toll". The recurring debate over net neutrality is re-emerging as part of a larger push for Internet and telecommunications reform in Canada and the US. In Canada, the recently released Report of the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel (see the previous issue of E-TIPS®, Vol 4, No 19, March 29, 2006, "Fundamental Changes Looming in Canadian Telecom Policy" ) viewed the net neutrality issue as an aspect of consumer rights, and confirmed that, as a question of general policy, net neutrality should be preserved. However, the Panel also acknowledged that there may be situations in which an Internet provider may be justified in discriminating on the basis of content, such as legal considerations or as dictated by reasonable technical constraints or efficiency concerns. The Report recommended that the regulator be able to address these situations on a case-by-case basis. In the US, legislators have been debating amendments to a new telecommunications bill regarding net neutrality. The Democrats have promoted an extensive set of regulatory requirements, but their proposal was defeated last week by the Republicans, who favor a more laissez-faire approach. For news coverage on US Net Neutrality, see: http://news.com.com/2100-1036_3-6056156.html; and http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6058223.html Summary by: James Kosa