Comcast Appeals FCC's Wrist Slap
from the you-can't-even-not-punish-us! dept
As was widely expected, Comcast has appealed the FCC's ruling concerning its traffic shaping practices -- even though that ruling was a total slap on the wrist that had no real punishment other than a verbal scolding. But, of course, for Comcast, it's a question of principle -- with the principle being that the FCC has no authority over it on this matter (except, of course, when it's politically convenient for Comcast to say otherwise).While the ruling against Comcast was rather pointless and meaningless, this appeal could create a much more interesting lawsuit, helping to more clearly define the FCC's authority on these issues. Amusingly, despite the effective issues being identical to the question of the FCC's authority over consumer electronics in the broadcast flag debate from four years ago, expect various public interest groups to align on the opposite sides of where they did back during that fight. Apparently, FCC regulation is bad, except when it's in agreement with your opinion.
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Filed Under: appeal, authority, fcc jurisdiction, net neutrality
Companies: comcast, fcc
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For the record:
I hate the FCC and I hate Comcast.
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Re:
There is no real competition between the players, and they aren't investing back into their infrastructure for the most part. In this day and age, the Internet is vital for a nation to compete with others.
I'd rather treat it like power or water, and just pay for what I use. The only fear is if the prices get set wrong as to become unusable or they'll legislate away some of my 'internet rights.'
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Re: Lesser of two evils
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Do What Dhey Say
I would not have a problem with the cable companies doing what the do if they are up front about it. That means no fine print on the 18th page of the customer agreement.
Though it would be nice to have more of a choice in service providers.
Google has all this capacity I wish they would do something with it.
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from the Boardroom . . .
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Yeah right
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Re: Yeah right
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Re: Yeah right
I just downloaded Solaris v.10 from Sun's website using BitTorrent. How did I break the law?
Thanks.
Vito
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Re: Yeah right
On October first, Comcast is implementing a 250G/month download limit. With a little effort I can get that in a week (24Mbps download). How with this help the bandwidth issues?
On September 30th, I am calling Comcast and canceling my service, and I will let them know exactly why. Verizon is still unlimited, for now.
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Re: Yeah right
And that's why internet traffic growth is slowing, right?
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080903/2020352161.shtml
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Strange . . .
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RE: Yeah Right
15% use 90% of the available bandwidth. You got facts to back this up? While I would believe that 15% of bittorent users account for 90% of the traffic out there they do not use 90% of all available bandwidth! There is a lot of bandwidth sitting out there un tapped and different ways to access it. We should not be shelling out a ridiculous amounts to cash to companies so they can sit on their hands and not improve their infrastructure to handle advancements in technology.
On your comment of video quality. As video quality increases so does compression techniques. a properly coded 178 meg mkv file looks years ahead a 178 meg avi file made by the same distribution group! Sure the MKV file requires your computer to have much more horse power than the avi file but computers are advancing in power every day.
If these companies had a reason to advance their infrastructure they would, but as it is they have monopolies and no reason to be progressive with their business models.
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a little logic for some of you
cable companies don't ask for a monopoly any more than all other utility companies do. that's called a franchise agreement and is done at a local government level. THEY are the ones who decides there will be a monopoly.
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Re: a little logic for some of you
Thus, while I'm generally opposed to government regulation, the fact that government has already handed these companies an effectively insurmountable advantage also means that regulations are necessary to protect consumers.
I'd prefer something closer to the Texas electric model, where the actual power lines are operated by a (heavily) regulated company, but individuals choose their own electric providers. It's far from perfect, but it's the best thing I can see this side of a coop.
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RE: Yeah Right/seeing clearly
"...Now, while these people break the law..."
That statement alone displays your ignorance in this matter. Using torrents is not the same as breaking the law, there are many legit and legal uses of torrents. As for the rest of your comment, refer to comment #8, spot on.
seeing clearly:
You really aren't seeing very clearly in this matter, the majority of people have 2 choices for high speed internet, each across a different medium. You can get DSL or Cable, not all locations provide both, but not all locations are limited to just those either. So really, it's not as simple as "GO SOMEWHERE ELSE for service."
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Internal Comcast Email
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