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View Full Version : US Backing for Two-Tier Internet


DougP
09-09-2007, 02:06 AM
This could go either in news or in the rights and issues section.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6983375.stm

The US Justice Department has said that internet service providers should be allowed to charge for priority traffic.

The agency said it was opposed to "network neutrality", the idea that all data on the net is treated equally.

The comments put the agency at odds with companies such as Microsoft and Google, who have called for legislation to guarantee equal access to the net.

The agency submitted its comments to the Federal Communications Commission, which is investigating net access.

Several US internet service providers (ISPs), including AT&T and Verizon, have previously said that they want to charge some users more money for certain content.

ryukyuboi
09-09-2007, 08:55 AM
There have been attempts for quite awhile to charge users for the Internet in some form. I think attempts at doing so never materialized at the Congressional level.

Why would the US Justice Department be opposed to "network neutrality." So much for justice.

I think the FCC has held hearings on net access in the past. Citizens can write the FCC and make their views known.

Fonze
09-09-2007, 09:12 AM
I thought we alraedy got charged for internet? I don't get it.

ryukyuboi
09-09-2007, 09:42 AM
I believe most everyone pays for the service to be connected to the Internet - their ISP. Some would want you to pay additionally for sending certain types of email, or downloading. That would be an additional charge.