- Apr 9, 2013
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Netflix Fighting for Net Neutrality!
- Thread starter Virgorising
- Start date
After weeks of public outcry, Netflix Inc brought its concerns about Internet neutrality directly to U.S. regulators this week in meetings with Federal Communications Commission staff, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The video streaming company has been outspoken in its push to do away with fees that content companies pay Internet service providers to deliver their video and other data to consumers.
Netflix recently agreed to pay such fees to Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc to ensure smooth delivery of its videos, but it argues they weaken the principle of net neutrality, which says all Internet traffic should be treated equally.
Netflix's representatives brought that message to the FCC commissioners' offices in meeting with advisers over the course of several days this week, the sources said, as the agency prepares to rewrite so-called Open Internet rules that regulate net neutrality by setting limits to how Internet providers treat web traffic crossing their networks.
The sources spoke anonymously because the meetings have not been publicly revealed yet.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has drafted rules that would soften the agency's stance on pay-for-priority to comply with a court rejection of earlier rules. If his proposal is adopted, the FCC would allow some "commercially reasonable" deals where content companies can pay Internet providers to give priority to their traffic and ensure its smooth delivery to users.
Though Wheeler has since said he would not tolerate moves to "degrade the service for all for the benefit of a few," public interest groups and the Web community at large worry that the rules may create "fast lanes" for those who pay up.
"Tolls coming for the Web thanks to FCC. What is the FCC thinking?" Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings posted on his Facebook page last week when the news of the proposal leaked out.
In a blog post on March 20, Hastings took a sharp stance against allowing Internet providers to charge fees for connections, including in deals known as "interconnection" or "peering" agreements that have traditionally been outside the scope of net neutrality as regulated by the FCC.
A Netflix spokesman had no comment on Thursday.
The FCC is expected to vote on May 15 to formally propose Wheeler's rules, and at a cable industry trade show in Los Angeles on Thursday, FCC commissioners said they are taking seriously the responses to the agency's proposals.
"We are going to have to take all that public commentary and take a hard look at it, take a hard look at the chairman's proposal and what the perception of that proposal is, and then also consider the admittedly difficult legal environment we are in and try to find a way forward," said Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the FCC's commissioners.
Netflix has been the most outspoken of major U.S. Internet companies on the issue of net neutrality so far.
The Internet Association, which represents many of those companies, including Netflix and Google Inc, has expressed concerns about "allowing broadband gatekeepers to decide what websites run the fastest." But the group, which is expected to be briefed on the proposal at the FCC on Friday, has been measured in opposition until the proposal's details are made public.
Netflix's push on net neutrality has been paired with its opposition to Comcast's current bid to buy No. 2 cable company Time Warner Cable Inc, as Netflix urges the FCC to impose "some enduring form of no-fee interconnect.
The video streaming company has been outspoken in its push to do away with fees that content companies pay Internet service providers to deliver their video and other data to consumers.
Netflix recently agreed to pay such fees to Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc to ensure smooth delivery of its videos, but it argues they weaken the principle of net neutrality, which says all Internet traffic should be treated equally.
Netflix's representatives brought that message to the FCC commissioners' offices in meeting with advisers over the course of several days this week, the sources said, as the agency prepares to rewrite so-called Open Internet rules that regulate net neutrality by setting limits to how Internet providers treat web traffic crossing their networks.
The sources spoke anonymously because the meetings have not been publicly revealed yet.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has drafted rules that would soften the agency's stance on pay-for-priority to comply with a court rejection of earlier rules. If his proposal is adopted, the FCC would allow some "commercially reasonable" deals where content companies can pay Internet providers to give priority to their traffic and ensure its smooth delivery to users.
Though Wheeler has since said he would not tolerate moves to "degrade the service for all for the benefit of a few," public interest groups and the Web community at large worry that the rules may create "fast lanes" for those who pay up.
"Tolls coming for the Web thanks to FCC. What is the FCC thinking?" Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings posted on his Facebook page last week when the news of the proposal leaked out.
In a blog post on March 20, Hastings took a sharp stance against allowing Internet providers to charge fees for connections, including in deals known as "interconnection" or "peering" agreements that have traditionally been outside the scope of net neutrality as regulated by the FCC.
A Netflix spokesman had no comment on Thursday.
The FCC is expected to vote on May 15 to formally propose Wheeler's rules, and at a cable industry trade show in Los Angeles on Thursday, FCC commissioners said they are taking seriously the responses to the agency's proposals.
"We are going to have to take all that public commentary and take a hard look at it, take a hard look at the chairman's proposal and what the perception of that proposal is, and then also consider the admittedly difficult legal environment we are in and try to find a way forward," said Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the FCC's commissioners.
Netflix has been the most outspoken of major U.S. Internet companies on the issue of net neutrality so far.
The Internet Association, which represents many of those companies, including Netflix and Google Inc, has expressed concerns about "allowing broadband gatekeepers to decide what websites run the fastest." But the group, which is expected to be briefed on the proposal at the FCC on Friday, has been measured in opposition until the proposal's details are made public.
Netflix's push on net neutrality has been paired with its opposition to Comcast's current bid to buy No. 2 cable company Time Warner Cable Inc, as Netflix urges the FCC to impose "some enduring form of no-fee interconnect.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
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They care about profits, not us. If net neutrality helped them they would fight for that instead.
BeeBoop
Golden Member
- Feb 5, 2013
- 1,677
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I'm not sure who you mean by "They". Netflix? Netflix has always been the leader in customer satisfaction when it comes to pricing. That's why I'll always believe Netflix over Comcast anyday. There was a time when Netflix use to cost 15$ a month and it could have easily stayed at that pricing model. Now compare that to Comcast. Comcast charges 50$+ just for basic HD cable and commercials are still included. Comcast owns Hulu and paid Hulu subscribers still have commercials! When you look at the pricing structures, it's easy to see who is driven by consumer satisfaction and who is driven by money. One last thing, Comcast datacaps.
- Apr 9, 2013
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Well, where someone is coming from always matters to me, and, i always know, but in this, U bet they are on the side of the angels, read: the collective.
But yes, it matters.
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MongGrel
Lifer
- Dec 3, 2013
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Elixer
Lifer
- May 7, 2002
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Comcast is only part owner of Hulu.
If netflix was really fighting for "net neutrality" they wouldn't have paid comcast, and now, verizon. Next up, Charter, Cox, and the rest of them.
They are playing both sides, and people are still thinking they are fighting for the small guy, which is not the case.
It is just a business decision, they are paying extra now, and their PR wing is saying the opposite (huh, I wonder who they picked that up from?). Then, they will pass on the rate increases, when the FCC throws in the towel, to consumers, like always.
Jaepheth
Platinum Member
- Apr 29, 2006
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BeeBoop
Golden Member
- Feb 5, 2013
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I've heard this before and this logic sounds so stupid to me. I don't understand the notion that Netflix must let their business fail before they do something about it. Netflix had no choice but to pay up or risk lose subscribers do their slow connections to Comcast and Verizon. What business man would let their company fail just to prove a point?
The only one playing both sides is the guy charging datacaps at both ends of the spectrum.
SMOGZINN
Lifer
- Jun 17, 2005
- 14,307
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Poor Netflix. They still don't get how this game works. They don't have meetings with the staff. If you want to get things done you make large donations to the right campaign and get your CEO appointed to the commission. Then you just have him do what ever you want. That is how AT&T and Comcast et al do it.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
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Arguably Hitler was fighting for something "Right" but look at the side-effects of their overzealous program.
SMOGZINN
Lifer
- Jun 17, 2005
- 14,307
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Elixer
Lifer
- May 7, 2002
- 10,371
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Eh, I think your logic detector has gone on the fritz again...I never said they should fail.
What usually happens when you have been wronged, is, you file a complaint with all the agencies involved.
Then, if you want to amp up the pressure, you file a lawsuit.
Then, you get all the other companies that are in the same boat as you to join along.
Then you get your PR machine in full gear and hit all the news outlets.
You don't pay the fees, then on the other side of your mouth say you are for 'net neutrality'.
Newegg did this against the patent trolls. They didn't pay first, and say we are against patent trolls. They joined up with the other companies, and took it to court...and won.
- Apr 9, 2013
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OK....now, deep breathe and focus: pls tell us what Hitler was fighting for that was 'RIGHT." I mean in any way, by any measure, throughout recorded human history.
That is an absolutely serious question.
- Apr 9, 2013
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I think what he wrote is waaaaay beyond Godwin's law dismissal and ought not be trivialized or left unaddressed.
- Apr 9, 2013
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I luv this pithy sardonicism. Very much.
I hate the Colbert smilie, but I hadda just use it. Cause that was worthy of Colbert.
- Apr 9, 2013
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O yea......it's all arbitrary, all the same, all in the eye of the beholder, each individual is the architect of truth and it's all subective and equal.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
- 17,080
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Unity and strength of his people, his country, and most importantly, all of europe.
Really, thats what the evil beautiful being wanted.
- Apr 9, 2013
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No, it is NOT.
In his unequivocal madness, he wanted World domination and the purifcation of the Aryan race, (an artificial construct to begin with).... and the EXPUNGING.....at the very least, enslaving... of all other humans.
Forgive me, but where did you go to school?
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