BellSouth Reserves The Right To Port Block
from the so-don't-piss-them-off dept
How quickly things change. For years, US telcos have been claimed that there was no need at all for network neutrality regulations, because they would never (never, ever, we promise!) block usage of their connections. They even pointed out that, if they did start blocking stuff, it would be a publicity nightmare and they'd probably lose customers over it. However, since that time, a few things have changed. High bandwidth apps have become more popular and a few service providers have been able to get away with blocking competitive applications. On top of that, new tools are coming out that will make it easier than ever for service providers to block or simply degrade applications like VoIP. So is it any surprise to see Broadband Reports point out that BellSouth refuses to promise network neutrality and reserves the right to block whatever they want to? Of course, this wouldn't be much of a problem if there were real competition in the broadband space, but the same FCC that won't fully mandate network neutrality has determined that a duopoly is enough competition for everyone.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Doupoly
Pepsi vs. Coke?
What, you're saying that doesn't work??!?! Blasphemy!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Wireless Mesh Communities
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Wireless Mesh Communities
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
I'll never use a BellSouth product again because of this. Way to go, BellSouth.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Network Neutrality
===BEGIN===
I have been a relatively satisfied Bellsouth customer for many years. I have not always been satisfied with the service, but have always, always, found the people at Bellsouth to be sincere and honest in their dealings with me and I've believe they were doing their best to resolve my issues. Bellsouth is an enormous organization and I have seen it sometimes struggle against itself to accomplish what seemed to me to be a small task. But the Bellsouth people take on the burden of that struggle and get the job done.
I said all that to say this. While I am not just a customer of Bellsouth, I am a fan. I will quit you like a bad habit, if ever I discover proof of blocked ports.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20051026/1616253_F.shtml
This is akin to turning of my phone's access to Michigan or all GTE customers. It would completely unacceptable. If there is a need to charge a small fee to the consumer to offset costs of providing that service, I would find that distasteful. However, I understand the need to maintain and improve services and resources. And, there is nothing wrong with a little profit. But, if you wish to maintain me as a customer, you will not block ports (and/or services) or you will give me the option to pay for them.
Respectfully,
George Hogge
George@Hogge.com
===END===
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Network Neutrality
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: No Subject Given
no choice but BS! Every DSL provider in my area
is purchasing service through BS, and on BS's
terms.
Hence, nothing is fair about it! On the other
point, you're correct: BELLSOUTH SUX!...and are
Full of S.
FYI: If you host a website at home, Bellsouth has begun blocking Port 80 to other customers within their network as of sometime late 2005-early 2006.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Network Neutrality
That's a good point. But Ironically, in your post about correct spelling and grammar you forgot the "e" in "use" in the last sentence, and said, "...if you don't us correct grammar."
;)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Network Neutrality
[ link to this | view in thread ]