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.
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  1. identicon
    Anonymous, 26 Oct 2005 @ 5:16pm

    Doupoly

    Republican vs. Democrat?
    Pepsi vs. Coke?

    What, you're saying that doesn't work??!?! Blasphemy!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Gerald Gibson, 26 Oct 2005 @ 9:35pm

    Wireless Mesh Communities

    Yet one more reason for Wireless Mesh Communities... In fact it is Manifest Destiny... shore to shore wireless mesh. We use Voip...or what the hell ever else we want on the unowned air waves between us all.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Scott, 26 Oct 2005 @ 10:51pm

    Re: Wireless Mesh Communities

    Damn right.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Oct 2005 @ 11:35pm

    No Subject Given

    seems more or less they are saying they might block the high-bandwidth apps eventually since it is eating up all their bandwidth and ruining their pricing model

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Brad, 27 Oct 2005 @ 6:29am

    No Subject Given

    They already block P2P. I tried every single P2P client I could find and every single one was blocked. As soon as I switched to Comcast, they all worked fine.

    I'll never use a BellSouth product again because of this. Way to go, BellSouth.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    KB, 27 Oct 2005 @ 7:30am

    No Subject Given

    As long as Bellsouth makes the consumer aware of these limitations and restrictions prior to contracting service, it seems fair enough to me. If I had already signed a contract and they sprung this on me mid-stream, I'd be raising hell. I think the lesson here is simple... Bellsouth SUX!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    George Hogge, 31 Oct 2005 @ 6:45am

    Network Neutrality

    I sent the email below to Bellsouth. Perhaps some other Bellsouth customers could do something similar.

    ===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 ]

  8. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 31 Oct 2005 @ 12:22pm

    Re: Network Neutrality

    Nice letter. Just be sure to spell check and have someone proof read your letter. The letter has some glaring mistakes and no one is going to take you seriously if you don't us correct grammar.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    DJ, 20 Apr 2006 @ 1:23pm

    Re: No Subject Given

    It is NOT "fair enough" when where you live offers
    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 ]

  10. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 May 2006 @ 7:46pm

    Re: Re: Network Neutrality

    "Just be sure to spell check and have someone read your letter."


    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 ]

  11. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Sep 2010 @ 6:35pm

    Re: Re: Network Neutrality

    link to this | view in thread ]


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