Google And Verizon Find A Tiny Bit Of Common Ground On Net Neutrality... But Still Aren't That Close

from the in-the-spirit-of-cooperation dept

Fri, Jan 15th 2010 12:42pm — Mike Masnick

It's no secret that a lot of the network neutrality debate has been positioned as pitting online companies -- such as Google -- against infrastructure companies -- such as the telcos. That's a bit of an unfair characterization, because there are lots of issues at play when it comes to network neutrality, but it's getting a lot of attention that Google and Verizon filed a joint statement to the FCC about net neutrality. Of course, despite the PR value of this, I wouldn't read too much into it. The letter itself (pdf) lays out their "common ground" in incredibly broad and vague language that is borderline meaningless at times. And, of course, at the same time both companies filed their own separate statements in which they disagree heavily (Verizon even calls out Google by name). By way of comparison:

Joint Submission by Google and Verizon: 9 pages
Google's submission: 98 pages
Verizon's submission: 139 pages

There's obviously still a lot that they don't agree on at all. Still, it is nice that they at least tried to come together a bit to find some common ground. That is pretty rare in a political culture often driven by extremes on each end playing tug o' war and hoping that the end result is somewhere in the middle. It would certainly be nice if this sort of thing became a little more common -- with more folks trying to find what the points of agreement are, separate from the points of disagreement.

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Filed Under: common ground, fcc, filings, net neutrality
Companies: fcc, google, verizon

10 Comments

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The Infamous Joe (profile), 15 Jan 2010 @ 12:59pm

Arrogance
I was unaware that America owned the internet, such that the internet fell into its jurisdiction to legislate it.

You learn something new everyday, I guess.
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:04pm
  
  Re: Arrogance
  Well, there aren't any winners yet, although Verizon is clearly in the lead, as it has more pages than the other two. But perhaps some chinese lawyer could work about a 200 page document and take the lead!
  
  Isn't that how this works with lawyers? Whoever files the biggest bullshit statement/brief wins?
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  - The Infamous Joe (profile), 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:28pm
    
    Re: Re: Arrogance
    I doubt it would be a Chinese lawyer, though admittedly I am far from an expert, but it seems their writing takes up far less space.
    
    If I had to guess, I'd say the German lawyers will win. Their words seem to run a bit longer than other countries.
    
    I want to be a German lawyer when I grow up!
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    - Anonymous Coward, 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:44pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Arrogance
      The Subway Sandwich I had for lunch wanted to be a German lawyer too.
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  - :Lobo Santo (profile), 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:33pm
    
    Re: Re: Arrogance
    Everybody knows the one with the most expensive lawyer wins.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:34pm
    
    Re: Re: Arrogance
    I'm sure there's a joke comparing this to A XXL Chicago-Style Pizza in here somewhere, with the punchline being "I'll have sloppy seconds" but I can't quite put my finger on it.
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    - Dark Helmet (profile), 15 Jan 2010 @ 2:04pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Arrogance
      "I'm sure there's a joke comparing this to A XXL Chicago-Style Pizza in here somewhere, with the punchline being "I'll have sloppy seconds" but I can't quite put my finger on it."
      
      Huh, me neither, but I can tell you I'll be calling Giordano's tonight for dinner....
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Ryan, 15 Jan 2010 @ 1:25pm

Better to Disagree
I would rather they remained heavily disagreed on every point. If the largest players on either side compromise, the FCC will fall into line and all the smaller guys, entrepreneurs, and consumers lose out. I know I wouldn't trust the Giants, Cowboys, and Paul Tagliabue to work out a new set of revenue rules for all NFL teams that benefitted Kansas City, Tampa Bay, or any of their fans.
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EXrider, 15 Jan 2010 @ 2:11pm

Google Voice
One thing's for sure. VZW is gonna HATE-HATE-HAAATE Google when they add VoIP functionality to their Google Voice app for Android and BlackBerry. MUHAHAHAHA!
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Fred, 19 Jan 2010 @ 10:30am

Concensus
Just saying - while the consensus document may be shorter than the individual companies documents - the consensus document may be more powerful. Nothing like consensus in the forum of administrative law - it is a very powerful thing.
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