Google Waves The Antitrust Threat Stick To Protect Neutrality
from the yeah,-good-luck-with-that... dept
The net neutrality battle continues to take its inevitable twists and turns. Back when the telcos were threatening to charge Google extra to reach their subscribers, some people suggested that Google should call the telcos' bluff and tell them they wouldn't pay -- which is pretty much exactly what happened. Now that it looks like there won't be net neutrality language in any new telco bills, Google is making it clear that if it finds out a telco is trying to break net neutrality, it might just file antitrust charges against that telco. It's not quite the same threat as using eminent domain to take over telco assets, but it could have the same overall impact: scaring the telcos straight. Of course, that assumes the telcos are actually worried about an antitrust suit. In reality, they probably realize that any such lawsuit would take many, many years -- and by the time it was all decided, it wouldn't much matter any more.
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Good luck Google.
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Re:
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Telecos....
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Good point, Simon
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NN
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Whatever
Dear Google,
I'd like to see more concentration on your alledgedly "core business" of search (more and more of my results are worthless spam that's been SEO'd out the ying-yang), while at the same time fewer pronouncements from your lawyers and fewer shite products like Google Page Creator and Google Checkout.
Sincerely,
n00b
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net neutrality duel
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2007 telcos start limiting services to unaffiliated content providers
2007 unaffiliated content providers file anti trust lawsuits
2008 supreme court decides for telco's with caviat that intense regulation is the only way to make sure telco's are behaving ethically.
2009 your Internet bill resembes your cellular phone bill.
2010 you have to buy a 2 year contract with verizon or AT&T in order to get a 'free' computer that is "compatible" with the Verizon or AT&T internet. stay tuned for customizable computer skins that match your personality.
2012 amid complaints of bad customer support, loading, dumping, bait and switch tactics from telco dealers, (franchises) government leverages a 2.8% tax on your internet bill to create a watchdog committee on these issues.
2015 US government enacts the Computer Portability Act - where you can keep your same computer and computer SIM card to move from AT&T to carrier of choice without losing your email address and storage.
2016 US government enacts anti-spam really we mean it anti spam bill that prosecutes anyone from sending you spam. charges only 1% tax for this service.
2020 US government deregulates the Internet and bills skyrocket.
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