WiLSWorld #6

continue live blogging

Net Neutrality: What Is It, and Why Should Libraries Care?
Bob Bocher, Wisconsin State Library Division
Technology Consultant
WI Dept of Public Instruction

visual - Hawaiian shirt

how long has Bob been doing it? "he used to keypunch"

http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/ppt/netneutral.ppt

issue didn't exist before 2-3 years ago
we are in present state because of regularions FCC chose not to enforce or disbanded

Net neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. with net neutrality, the network's only job is to move data - not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service. (Benton Foundation)

issue predates Internet
based on common carrieage
telecom: no one is refused service; all calls are connected regardkess of location or content

Major legal difference between:
Telecommunication service (Title II)- strong common carrier language
Information service (Title I) - weak language
transport of data goes back to late 60s and early 70s when IBM wanted to send data. AT&T initially didn't want to allow them to do it. FCC said that ATT could not prevent or prohibit data any more than voice.

1990s: most consumers had dial-up
More than 7,500 dial-up ISPs
Most telecom/cable companies were ISPs
2000s: more consumers moving to broadband
More telecom/cable companies providing BB
Eroding line between telecom providers and ISPs

See home broadband adoption chart from Pew
FCC defines broadband as 200K (low threshold)

U.S. is 15th or 20th in residential broadband
In other countries, government took an initiative to supply broadband
U.S. is at 47% range
Republicans want to base more BB access on competition
2002 FCC said local cable not subject to common carrier language
2005 FCC deregulates broadband
FCC issues "bradband access to the Internet" principles (feel good principles
2007: FCC issues "Broadband Notice of Inquiry"

need to keep watchful eye to make sure ISPs don't become Internet gatekeepers

Netrality supported by:
Consumer organizations
1st Amendment supporters
Content providers
Education & library community

Netrality opposed by:
Telecom/cable companies
ISPs
Orgs that oppose government regulation

Net Neutrality Supporters
End users lose control
Stifle innovation and new services/applications
Concerns with evolving vertical market where telecom/cable providers control: the underlying circuit, actual Internet access itself, increasing share of content
Little competition for voice/video/data services

Net Neutrality Opponents
Must be able to manage network
Telecom/cable need return infrastructure investments
Cannot control legislative outcome
No cases of abuse or distrimination
Market is better mechanism to address issue

Impact on Libraries
Libraries are acess providers
Libraries are content providers
Libraries don't have deep pockets
Could make ISP selection difficult
Libraries concerned with digital divide and equity of access, First amendment issues, diversity opinions

.