The Great Telecom Debate: (Re)Defining the Internet for the 21st Century

Finally, a two-tiered Internet has the potential to expand network operators’ role as a gatekeeper in such a way that could harm the foundation on which the Internet was built. "The tiering system destroys the DNA of the Internet, the open architecture that allows everyone to speak equally," says Scott. "It’s essentially the cable-ization of the Internet. A two-tiered Internet will behave just like cable TV does today where the cable TV provider controls exactly what content is available on their network. You as a consumer don’t have a voice in that and neither do independent programmers."

Looking Ahead
The great telecom debate has already begun to pick up steam. A series of draft bills have been circulating for some months now and companies on both sides of the two-tiered coin are making their views known publicly. For BellSouth, the goal is to dissuade the federal government from stepping in and legislating specific provisions regarding network neutrality. "The Internet has developed to where it is today with a very light hand of regulation," says Morton. "We want to make sure that we continue from a government perspective to have a hands-off approach to the Internet."

Opponents of the two-tiered Internet, on the other hand, want clear guarantees that the principles of Internet neutrality will be upheld and enshrined in law to ensure that online service providers continue to have open, unfettered access over the public Internet into consumers’ homes. "The real danger of the quiet elimination of common carrier regulations is that it puts you in a regulatory structure where it’s a slippery slope to an environment of complete unaccountability for a monopoly or duopoly," says Scott. "We tried that once in the late 19th century with the railroad and it didn’t work out. We got robber barons instead."

While no one has a crystal ball that can predict how the great telecom debate will play out over 2006, there are a couple of things that Scott recommends watching during the coming year, especially the actions of Internet giants like Google, a company that has recently stated publicly its opposition to the two-tiered concept. "I would watch for two things," Scott says. "Let’s see where the ecompanies come out. If a half-dozen very well known ecompanies come out and publicly oppose the tiering concept and come up with their own alternative, that will be huge development. Also, let’s see how far into the legislative year the debate goes before there’s a serious legislative vehicle of some sort," he continues. "No one wants to make a pivotal decision that will alter the future of the Internet four months before their constituents go to the polls."

These are complex issues with broad potential ramifications, especially for individuals and companies that rely on online media for a large portion of their business. And we’re not likely to hear the last word on any of these topics for quite some time. To help our readers keep up to date and informed, StreamingMedia.com will have regular coverage and analysis of these issues throughout this year.