Net Neutrality

The cable television giant Comcast is seeking a major financial interest in NBC Universal (representing MSNBC, Telemundo, Universal Studios, and many local stations). What’s that have to do with net neutrality?

Oh a little more monopoly in our media can’t hurt. What could possibly be problematic with access to cable, the internet, news, great movies, and in some cases telephone services going through just a few couple companies? Just think of the benefits. One GREAT BIG monthly bill, and the privilege to access “TV Everywhere” technologies.

Of course, there’s this little concern about Net Neutrality that keeps coming up in conversations. But why should I care, I don’t even have a TV (or consequently, a cable bill) at home [GASP!]. On the other hand, I do use the internet (complete with monthly bill), and I do like to watch video programs via the web. But what if through coordinated “TV Everywhere” schemes – ever hear of Fancast Xfinity? – those video programs become available for web viewing only if you have a subscription. [note: I did a quick check of Fancast and so far it seems to work for me on my home computer, maybe because of my internet provider?]

Do you like watching videos on your mobile device? Suppose you subscribe to your local “TV Everywhere” scheme, lucky you! You now have access to videos selected for you by your TV Everywhere provider. Want to share them with your friend who lives cross-country? Oops, what if they have a different “TV Everywhere” provider with access to different videos. Oh well. But, hey, the networks all show the same shows anyway, I’m sure you wouldn’t really be missing anything. Would you? How would you know?

Then of course, there’s those independent souls who create video content or other web content using their very own pocket money. And they share their thoughts, blogs, videos, cool stuff, and information without requiring you to sign on to some $100 per month subscription. Unfortunately, those dear folks didn’t pay your local “TV Everywhere” provider a content access fee so that you, dear user, can check out their website from that trusty high-speed mobile device. Your Internet provider would never BLOCK access to those independent sites would it? You can still load the site at, um, 2 kbps, and view the video – if you are very patient. But, then that’s NOT net neutrality at work, that’s net pay-per-use in practice.

Don’t worry, we aren’t at that point yet. I’m sure this little ol’ website loaded for you just as quickly as any other. And, the U.S. Justice Department is reviewing that little deal between Comcast and NBC Universal for potential antitrust concerns.

If you enjoy your access to the internet, if you blog, if you create other web content, if you just like to see what others are doing on the web, and you want to learn more:

check out the TV Competition Nowhere report by FreePress.net

visit Save the Internet to learn more about what Net Neutrality is all about and how we can keep it.

Hear or watch or read what Mr. Jeff Chester, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy has to say about all of this, click here.