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I was going to write "the ISP market is a natural monopoly", but then I noticed that's missing the point in this case. Because the fear of Non-Net-Neutrality g

I was going to write "the ISP market is a natural monopoly", but then I noticed that's missing the point in this case. Because the fear of Non-Net-Neutrality goes far beyond the usual "there's only two ISPs where I life and they both offer the same deals". It's something in completely its own category of nefariousness because they could be as anticompetitive as they want, and the market could not solve it. Even if SpaceX did its thing and broke the speed limit on light. That's because the injured party isn't their customers, who could take their business elsewhere, or at least loudly complain on the internet (if they have any). It's someone not part to the ISP<->customer contract, namely that unknown video startup in Nantucket, or the e2e-encrpyted messenger app your friend Lauren is working on. They're going to be forced into paying ISPs if they ever want to reach the ISPs' customers. And there's no risk to the ISP, because nobody is going to change ISPs for some startup they've never heard about.

Retric 9y ago
Satellite internet sucks because it's in Geosyncranis orbit at ~26,200 miles and you need to make the trip 4 times. LEO satellites would add ~250 miles worth of ping x4 which is a massive difference. Still not low enough for pro gamer doing FPS games, but just about anything else should be fine. The problem is need a lot more satellites and your receivers need to be able to track satellites.
nitrogen 9y ago
It's someone not part to the ISP<->customer contract, namely that unknown video startup in Nantucket, or the e2e-encrpyted messenger app your friend Lauren is working on. They're going to be forced into paying ISPs if they ever want to reach the ISPs' customers. And there's no risk to the ISP, because nobody is going to change ISPs for some startup they've never heard about. This is the problem with every truly great crime -- once it's fait accompli, the harm becomes impossible to prove. Whether it's MS of the 1990s with anticompetitive OEM agreements, or ISPs of today, we simply never get to experience the richer, more vibrant world that never was.

Retric 9y ago

Satellite internet sucks because it's in Geosyncranis orbit at ~26,200 miles and you need to make the trip 4 times. LEO satellites would add ~250 miles worth of ping x4 which is a massive difference. Still not low enough for pro gamer doing FPS games, but just about anything else should be fine. The problem is need a lot more satellites and your receivers need to be able to track satellites.

nitrogen 9y ago

It's someone not part to the ISP<->customer contract, namely that unknown video startup in Nantucket, or the e2e-encrpyted messenger app your friend Lauren is working on. They're going to be forced into paying ISPs if they ever want to reach the ISPs' customers. And there's no risk to the ISP, because nobody is going to change ISPs for some startup they've never heard about. This is the problem with every truly great crime -- once it's fait accompli, the harm becomes impossible to prove. Whether it's MS of the 1990s with anticompetitive OEM agreements, or ISPs of today, we simply never get to experience the richer, more vibrant world that never was.