[Cialug] Stanford Debate: Net Neutrality

[Todd Walton]

>From "ISPs Blow Off Stanford Net Neutrality Hearing"
http://tech.slashdot.org/tech/08/04/21/2250207.shtml

Stanford held a debate about net neutrality and nobody came.  An FCC
Commissioner stated: "Consumers have come to expect and will continue
to demand the open and neutral character that has always been the
hallmark of the Internet. The Commission is currently examining
several petitions and complaints according to which broadband
providers have intentionally and secretly degraded applications in a
way that undermines the open and interconnected character of the
Internet."

Questions: 1) Is federal regulation supposed to be based on what
consumers have come to expect?  Is that what regulation is based on?
2) Is it the FCC's role to ensure the "open and interconnected
character of the Internet"?

My answers are 1) No.  We are citizens first, not consumers, and
producers are citizens too.  But perhaps the FCC does base regulation
on keeping the status quo.  It would bear investigation.  2) Maybe.
But is more regulation the way to "open" the Internet?

-todd