3 ms·

Look at what ISPs do in Portugal, which lacks any kind of net neutrality. They are already trying to bundle sites and protocols like cable channels. It's not fa

by api 9y ago

Look at what ISPs do in Portugal, which lacks any kind of net neutrality. They are already trying to bundle sites and protocols like cable channels. It's not far fetched at all.

tonyztan 9y ago
Here's a screenshot from the Portuguese ISP's pricing page: https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/923701871092441088 https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/923701871092441088 Exactly like a cable bundle.
- LastZactionHero 9y ago
  I'm all for net neutrality, but it feels important to note that this is for mobile service: https://www.meo.pt/internet/internet-movel/telemovel/pacotes-com-telemovel https://www.meo.pt/internet/internet-movel/telemovel/pacotes... Also, it looks like the same company provides gigabit internet for $50/mo: https://www.meo.pt/pacotes/mais-pacotes/fibra/net-voz https://www.meo.pt/pacotes/mais-pacotes/fibra/net-voz Again, I support net neutrality, but it's still technically better than my Comcast.
  - rory096 9y ago
    >I'm all for net neutrality, but it feels important to note that this is for mobile service: The current net neutrality regulations apply to both fixed and mobile broadband. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/13/2015-07841/protecting-and-promoting-the-open-internet https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/13/2015-07...
- BoorishBears 9y ago
  Those are flat rates for unlimited access to certain services. If you scroll down there's also per/mb pricing with no services listed.
  - int_19h 9y ago
    Of course, if you use per/Mb pricing, then those services suddenly become much more expensive. Which means that any competitor to those services now faces a high barrier to entry - they can't just compete on features, they have to be that much better to overcome the cheaper cost of mobile data for the product they're trying to compete with. Which leads to easier formation of monopolies. Which is exactly the kind of thing that was pointed out as the problem requiring Net Neutrality in the first place.
- mortehu 9y ago
  That's a misleadingly vague description of what the page is for. Mobile data providers in US already offer similar deals, like T-Mobile's "Binge On".
rory096 9y ago
>Portugal... lacks any kind of net neutrality. Last I checked, Portugal is in the European Union. Presumably it has the same net neutrality rules the rest of the EU does.
- jplayer01 9y ago
  Yes, but these net neutrality rules have loop-holes for zero-rating. It's not as ironclad as it should be. Portugal just seems to be on the forefront of abusing these.

by api 9y ago

Look at what ISPs do in Portugal, which lacks any kind of net neutrality. They are already trying to bundle sites and protocols like cable channels. It's not far fetched at all.

tonyztan 9y ago

Here's a screenshot from the Portuguese ISP's pricing page: https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/923701871092441088 https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/923701871092441088 Exactly like a cable bundle.

LastZactionHero 9y ago
I'm all for net neutrality, but it feels important to note that this is for mobile service: https://www.meo.pt/internet/internet-movel/telemovel/pacotes-com-telemovel https://www.meo.pt/internet/internet-movel/telemovel/pacotes... Also, it looks like the same company provides gigabit internet for $50/mo: https://www.meo.pt/pacotes/mais-pacotes/fibra/net-voz https://www.meo.pt/pacotes/mais-pacotes/fibra/net-voz Again, I support net neutrality, but it's still technically better than my Comcast.
- rory096 9y ago
  >I'm all for net neutrality, but it feels important to note that this is for mobile service: The current net neutrality regulations apply to both fixed and mobile broadband. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/13/2015-07841/protecting-and-promoting-the-open-internet https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/13/2015-07...
BoorishBears 9y ago
Those are flat rates for unlimited access to certain services. If you scroll down there's also per/mb pricing with no services listed.
- int_19h 9y ago
  Of course, if you use per/Mb pricing, then those services suddenly become much more expensive. Which means that any competitor to those services now faces a high barrier to entry - they can't just compete on features, they have to be that much better to overcome the cheaper cost of mobile data for the product they're trying to compete with. Which leads to easier formation of monopolies. Which is exactly the kind of thing that was pointed out as the problem requiring Net Neutrality in the first place.
mortehu 9y ago
That's a misleadingly vague description of what the page is for. Mobile data providers in US already offer similar deals, like T-Mobile's "Binge On".

rory096 9y ago

>Portugal... lacks any kind of net neutrality. Last I checked, Portugal is in the European Union. Presumably it has the same net neutrality rules the rest of the EU does.

jplayer01 9y ago
Yes, but these net neutrality rules have loop-holes for zero-rating. It's not as ironclad as it should be. Portugal just seems to be on the forefront of abusing these.