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A Note to Google Users on Net Neutrality, by Eric Schmidt (2006)
- SlyShy 17y agoOf course, Google is protecting its business interests, but I happen to agree with its business interests in this case.
- DrJokepu 17y agoIt's only their business interest because they've chosen so. They could have reached an agreement with large telecom providers if they wanted to that would have effectively made it impossible for a startup to ever challenge them.
- bbuffone 17y agoThe network would the least of a startups problem challenging google. This has been one of the arguments for net neutrality and it doesn't make sense. 1.) No one has this issue now and I don't see much competition from any other than microsoft. Eventually some one will find a way but isn't going to because of or inspite net neutrality. 2.) Google can't act in an any competitive manner using the network just has microsoft found out it couldn't do with the computer manufactures. As soon as some one thought they were using their network contract to impede competition they would be bust quicker than a "Gizmodo Editor with a 'lost' Prototype" 3.) Google would have more problems going this route and it would cost them a lots of time, money and energy to manage, then add the fact they would be held hostage by the network providers. Contract up? Ok, pay us even more, new service even more. It would be road I think they avoid if not then why not. With the proper network deals and content licenses: youtube could become a new cable company. Google voice a new telephone network... They could more easily expand beyond search into different revenue steams with these deals if there wasn't big issues with them.
- madmaze 17y agoIt may be their business interests, but it should also be important to everyone else that enjoys the freedoms of the internet. If Cable/ISP's get the ability to favor certain content over others, we'll end up similar to the way that cable tv is setup now. "want access to foxnews.com, nbc.com, bloomberg.com then buy the news and business package.. ohh you also want facebook, myspace and twitter.. then youll also need to buy the social media package". It would be a disaster and the end of the internet as we know it, McCain tried to pass something similar a while ago called the "internet freedom act", which basically would have taken all the "freedoms" away from the consumers and given them to the ISPs and media companies. Net Neutrality is what gives the internet its power, and the ability to grant freedom of speech.
- treblig 17y agoIt bothers me that Google did not throw a publication date on this page. While it is certainly still applicable, this letter has been up for at least a few years. (I believe I found it when researching for a paper in late 2006. )
- huherto 17y agoI'm confused. Is this a current debate or it is here just as an interesting (historical) note?
- robryan 17y agoDoesn't look like it, a quick Google search reveals discussion on it from 2008.
- DennisP 17y agoIt also would have really helped to include a bill number.
- paulsmith 17y agoThe relevant bill in the House is H.R. 3458 [1] currently in the Energy & Commerce Committee. [1] http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3458/show http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3458/show
- Adaptive 17y agoLooks like they heard you... there's note up there now.
- dpritchett 17y agoNice touching quoting "The inventor of the World Wide Web". People might not know who Berners-Lee or Cerf are but it's hard to argue with the inventor of the Web.
- raimondious 17y agoA more appropriate title would have been "A Note on Net Neutrality to Google Users in the United States," but I'm happy to see this nonetheless. Hopefully this will make its rounds and sway public opinion.
- initself 17y agoThat was the first call I ever made to my congressman.
- initself 17y agoI'm not sure I was prepared to actually talk to someone.
- buster 17y agoOut of curiosity: What did he/she say?
- arch_hunter 17y agoKnowing a little about how the process works, you usually do not get to speak to that actual congressman, but instead one of their staff workers who does their best to sound sympathetic without committing to anything.
- clammer 17y ago>would give the big phone and cable companies the power to pick and choose what you will be able to see and do on the Internet And I could pick and choose my provider. The problem with regulating "monopolies" is that it does more to ensure their monopoly position and stifle competition than it does to "protect" the consumer. This is a short-term vs. long-term debate. Net neutrality will be good in the short term, but very bad for long term development of the Internet and access to it.
- clammer 17y agoYeah, I figured no one here would like my point of view on this one.
- raimondious 17y agoI'd like to know why you have the opinion you do — how is it good for the Internet in the long term? I don't see how this is possible.
- clammer 17y agoBecause it creates a more rules for ISPs. The more regulated a market is, the larger barrier to entry which perpetuates the monopoly. Eventually, when smaller upstarts come along, the monopoly points at them and says, "Hey, these guys aren't playing by the rules" and then the government makes these upstarts comply with expensive regulations. For instance, VOIP and 911. When you could get VOIP for nothing (or next to it) the big telecoms pointed to these new providers and said "We have to support 911, why don't they?". In this case, the government jumped in to help the telecoms keep a foot hold on their monopoly. See: http://www.sandiegobusinesslawfirm.com/net_telephone_services http://www.sandiegobusinesslawfirm.com/net_telephone_service... This pattern repeats itself in almost all legislation attempting to regulate monopolies. In the end, it only serves to stifle competition and remove consumer choice from the market.
- pyre 17y agoThe issue is that there are already huge barriers to entry if one wants to become an ISP.
- grandalf 17y agoNet Neutrality laws don't exist now, and cable and broadband providers do not restrict what content customers can access. Sorry Eric, but I'm not convinced this is a big deal worth getting the FCC Nipple Slip Police involved in.
- numbchuckskills 17y agoIt bothers me that Google advertises to consumers their pro-net neutrality views, but then pays for and partners with carriers worldwide to have their services/traffic prioritized.
- debug 17y agoI just called, spoke to a guy named Eric - I left my concern with him, told me to let anyone else know,that they can call to address their concern.