FCC, Net Neutrality..Large internet providers battle

ndynt

ndynt

Senior Member
Location
NE Florida
Thoughts re FCC, Net Neutrality..Large internet providers battle

The win for Net Neutrality at the FCC was historic. Now, Rep. Marsha Blackburn is pushing new legislation in Congress that would undo everything the FCC just did to protect Net Neutrality.
The bill already has 31 co-sponsors — and all but two have received money from the very companies trying to kill the open Internet.

The bill is called the Internet Freedom Act, but (shocker!) it would actually destroy Internet freedom. Its champion, Rep. Blackburn, is a longtime opponent of Net Neutrality who has received nearly $262,000 in donations from companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon.

It was expected that it would come to this in Congress. In fact, these folks have scheduled five (FIVE!) hearings to debate everything from the process the FCC undertook to the agency’s budget for implementing the rules.
(Condensed from "Freepress Action")
 

Any thoughts re this ongoing battle between the FCC and A&T and ComCast?
The win for Net Neutrality at the FCC was historic. Now, Rep. Marsha Blackburn is pushing new legislation in Congress that would undo everything the FCC just did to protect Net Neutrality.
The bill already has 31 co-sponsors — and all but two have received money from the very companies trying to kill the open Internet.

The bill is called the Internet Freedom Act, but (shocker!) it would actually destroy Internet freedom. Its champion, Rep. Blackburn, is a longtime opponent of Net Neutrality who has received nearly $262,000 in donations from companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon.

It was expected that it would come to this in Congress. In fact, these folks have scheduled five (FIVE!) hearings to debate everything from the process the FCC undertook to the agency’s budget for implementing the rules.
(Condensed from "Freepress Action")
 
The problem with the internet providers, internet and their plant & office equipment is that they were under regulated for decades. The physical stuff should have fallen under existing public utility regulations so if utility companies had poles, holes and cables underneath public streets those municipalities should've be collecting and benefiting from their presence since public property is being used for private profit. Some say this is how they are currently regulated but they are not in many locales. Some governments forget or can't collect rent from utilities as is. I think it was/is Verizon that is frequently late on their pole/public space rent in Florida. The local governments really need to audit what is in, on or going through public rights of way or property and bill these companies accordingly.

But as for content or speed that is debatable because by demanding higher speeds that means new plant ie fiber or office equipment that is more money. The question is a minimum standard. Should really fast downloads be a right or option. What is a reasonable internet speed?-the fastest available? The problem is many companies don't have the physical plant outside or inside to provide a faster speed to meet a new standard-who pays for that. They could mandate improvements per year. They definitely should regulate outages and penalize accordingly which might force these companies to replace old or bad facilities.

A lot of this will fall into place on its own. I remember having to pay for call waiting or answer machine with landline now both are fairly standard with cell phones.
 

Thank you, WhatInThe. (Love your user name) Those are aspects I have not thought about. My concern is what will happen if the internet is not declared a public utility. How will it eventually affect all of us? If these few companies, that control the internet, continue to be unregulated? Not just for streaming and using the internet for entertainment. But, for those who pay their bills, do their banking, refill their meds, shop, make appts...and on and on. And for free trade, with all the internet businesses that are springing up.
 
ndynt said:
Thank you, WhatInThe. (Love your user name) Those are aspects I have not thought about. My concern is what will happen if the internet is not declared a public utility. How will it eventually affect all of us? If these few companies, that control the internet, continue to be unregulated? Not just for streaming and using the internet for entertainment. But, for those who pay their bills, do their banking, refill their meds, shop, make appts...and on and on. And for free trade, with all the internet businesses that are springing up.
Click to expand...

Part of the problem with not "considering" internet a public utility stems from the monopoly ATT or the old Ma Bell had-regulate Ma Bell and you had it covered. Now there are multiple companies with multiple ways to deliver their service.. But in reality internet is just 'a' service. The poles, holes, cables and equipment are what needs to be regulated, not the service. Internet is what the utility is using their plant for but it is not the plant itself.

Utility regulation is all about the public benefit especially since it goes over, through and under public rights of way or property. People forget this. Some states have all but neutered their public utility regulators since it's considered an option and not a necessity. Is internet a necessity or an option? Is fiber optic service an option? Is a Netflix(video) download/ stream a necessity or is the ability to send an email(text) a necessity. Power is a necessity. But power to keep the AC @ 60 degree or heat at 80 degrees a necessity? Water is a necessity-is filling a pool a necessity like a shower, dishes and laundry? Usage varies and is personal. This is why micro management would not be a good idea. Usage after a certain point should be considered optional and higher price if the provider wants to add a fee for above average usage.

Again go after the utilities hard under existing laws and agreements and there will be money and leverage to be had.
 
I am glad you qualified internet with "Usage after a certain point should be considered optional and higher price if the provider wants to add a fee for above average usage." For some of us it is a necessity. If I did not have access to it I would not be able to live independently. And I feel sure that there are many other seniors that are as dependent on it, as I am.
 
ndynt said:
The win for Net Neutrality at the FCC was historic. Now, Rep. Marsha Blackburn is pushing new legislation in Congress that would undo everything the FCC just did to protect Net Neutrality.
The bill already has 31 co-sponsors — and all but two have received money from the very companies trying to kill the open Internet.

The bill is called the Internet Freedom Act, but (shocker!) it would actually destroy Internet freedom. Its champion, Rep. Blackburn, is a longtime opponent of Net Neutrality who has received nearly $262,000 in donations from companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon.

It was expected that it would come to this in Congress. In fact, these folks have scheduled five (FIVE!) hearings to debate everything from the process the FCC undertook to the agency’s budget for implementing the rules.
(Condensed from "Freepress Action")
Click to expand...

So again it's about the companies (big money companies) against the average, American internet user. I thought about it 20 or so years ago when I got my first pc. How soon would the cost of using go up, or the freedom we have using it change. I don't get into much of this nd, because I don't watch news and keep up on things. I do use the internet, and feel it would be a great loss if I didn't have the use of it as I do now.

If I'm understanding this though, the big boys want to monopolize it "own" the internet, and divvy it out as they see fit. I'll vote against anything (if I even get to vote) that would change what the FCC has accomplished. denise
 
nwlady said:
So again it's about the companies (big money companies) against the average, American internet user. I thought about it 20 or so years ago when I got my first pc. How soon would the cost of using go up, or the freedom we have using it change. I don't get into much of this nd, because I don't watch news and keep up on things. I do use the internet, and feel it would be a great loss if I didn't have the use of it as I do now.
Denise, though you cannot vote for or against it...you can contact your congressman. Asking that he support Net Neutrality vs

If I'm understanding this though, the big boys want to monopolize it "own" the internet, and divvy it out as they see fit. I'll vote against anything (if I even get to vote) that would change what the FCC has accomplished. denise
Click to expand...
Denise, although we cannot vote against the Freedom Act bill, you can contact your Congressman. Asking that he vote against it.
 
The thing with the FCC is they JUST voted to regulate the internet like a utility and yet had that capability all along. But they more than failed to regulate or perpetuate the competition the break up of the Old Ma Bell was supposed to create & advocate. We are now dangerously close to the old ma bell days especially when it comes to landline.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/opinion/break-up-the-telecom-cartels.html?_r=1

The big baby bells have been slowly gobbling up their competition unabated and enabled by the FCC. The most glaring example of FCC malfeasance was the approval of Comcast-NBC merger which does affect content & competition. Even more troubling showing the true political and corporate commercial nature of the FCC is the an FCC member who voted yes on that merger was working for Comcast a couple of months later.

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/45450/comcast-nbc-merger-monopoly-approved/

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...-to-approve-its-deal-with-nbc-universal.shtml

Setting aside FCC politics there are ways to pressure these utility companies other than regulators, perhaps not as forceful but effective.

1) Since things like internet are considered an optional service by these corporate utilities one should report any problems to the local better business bureau(which might relent to local utility regulators.

2) Let local consumer groups, press, reporters and social media know all about the not getting the services you paid for or if you think you were priced gouged.

3) If you have any continuous problems with these corporate utilities let local and national politicians know about the trouble and remind them these companies are making a buck off of public property and/or rights of way. Also remind them to see if any public agreements with these utilities are being enforced and fees collected ie rent on pole or manhole runs. Perhaps new ones need to be negotiated.

4) Last resort but sue the local utility that's giving you problems, this would be more about bringing an issue to public attention but it might work.

As with any political mess corporate politics and government appointees are frequently difficult to untangle. Never give up.
 
One of the issues involving utility companies is actually who owns what and is responsible for it's up keep. I read after Hurricane Sandy about who should've actually maintained or replaced the fallen poles and lines since pole space is frequently rented, not owned. The pole owner is responsible for the pole. The renter or cable/wire owner is responsible to clear their lines of trees or tree trimming. Most people don't know that including employees of the local government or companies involved. I brought this up because the public must keep after the users of public property for private profit and that includes all of actual the owners.

Also the issue of who owns, rents or is responsible for outside plant maintenance is a big and costly issue in many companies and communities.

Verizon, an internet provider owes taxes on outside plant that theirs and maybe others services go out on.

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/hopewell_borough_fights_verizo.html

Sometimes utilities/companies fight each other for rent.

http://tbo.com/news/business/utility-poles-spark-lawsuit-544791

This is important because sometimes customer service power, phone or internet is affect because these companies argue over things like who should replace or repair a downed pole. If your service runs through sagging wires or wires on the ground that affects service and the public shouldn't have to wait for a company to get it's billing straight.

Start utility regulation by finding out who owns what is out on public property.
 
Ok, sounds good. Seems so many good things that come along for the people, get snatched up and all kinds of regulations, and high costs are attached. Thanks Nd;) denise
 
WhatInThe said:
One of the issues involving utility companies is actually who owns what and is responsible for it's up keep. I read after Hurricane Sandy about who should've actually maintained or replaced the fallen poles and lines since pole space is frequently rented, not owned. The pole owner is responsible for the pole. The renter or cable/wire owner is responsible to clear their lines of trees or tree trimming. Most people don't know that including employees of the local government or companies involved. I brought this up because the public must keep after the users of public property for private profit and that includes all of actual the owners.

Also the issue of who owns, rents or is responsible for outside plant maintenance is a big and costly issue in many companies and communities.

Verizon, an internet provider owes taxes on outside plant that theirs and maybe others services go out on.

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/hopewell_borough_fights_verizo.html

Sometimes utilities/companies fight each other for rent.

http://tbo.com/news/business/utility-poles-spark-lawsuit-544791

This is important because sometimes customer service power, phone or internet is affect because these companies argue over things like who should replace or repair a downed pole. If your service runs through sagging wires or wires on the ground that affects service and the public shouldn't have to wait for a company to get it's billing straight.

Start utility regulation by finding out who owns what is out on public property.
Click to expand...
Thank you. So much info to digest and compare. One thing you mentioned...the old Ma Bell. Despite all the name changes, is it any better? With the internet added, has she just not become larger and more powerful? Finally, with Voip, after 60 years I am free of her. With better service and more features. Now let me try and make sense of the rest of the material you shared. :D
 

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