FCC Internet hearing draws protests
Eric D'Orazio and David Maltz
2/29/08
CAMBRIDGE - Protesters took to the campus of Harvard Law School on Monday for a five-hour Federal Communications Commission hearing dealing with proposed legislation preventing telecommunication companies from controlling who gets faster or slower broadband Internet service.
Executive vice presidents of telecommunications giants Verizon and Comcast joined all five commissioners to discuss the concept of "net neutrality," the principle that all Internet traffic should have equal priority. Net neutrality became an issue last year, after Comcast admitted to using network optimization techniques that slowed the traffic from peer-to-peer networking programs, such as BitTorrent.
"Right now we have a level playing field, but if the telecom companies get their way, they'll close that all down and erect toll booths," said Bill Santoro, a local musician who has made money selling his albums worldwide via the Internet. "Start-up businesses, entrepreneurs, everything that's made the Internet what it is will all be history, and I'll end up having to pay for this two-tiered system whereby people who pay big bucks can have their content delivered across the net at lightning speed."
Historically, peer-to-peer networking was used for illegal file sharing. More recently, it has become a way to distribute large files, such as high-definition movies, in a more efficient manner. Peer-to-peer networking revolves around the principle of using multiple computers and Internet connections to distribute small pieces of an individual file. The result is faster delivery of large files. However, as more and more computers begin sharing files, the often slower uploading bandwidth becomes bogged down, especially on cable modems, which share bandwidth among many users in a geographical area.
Gilles BianRosa, CEO of Vuze Inc., which uses peer-to-peer technology to distribute licensed high-definition video to customers around the world, demonstrated his service, showing how optimization tactics, like those employed by Comcast could adversely impact his service.
"We are not against reasonable network management practices," BianRosa said. "We are against management without boundaries."
The FCC so far does not have a formal policy on net neutrality. However, Rep. Ed Markey (D.-Mass.), who suggested Cambridge for the FCC hearing, proposed making net neutrality the law.
"The beauty of the Internet is its wonderful chaotic ability to reinvent itself each year," Markey said. "The internet is as much mine and yours as it is AT&T and Verizon's."
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, indicated network management is acceptable, but needs to be done fairly. "Consumers need to know if and how network management tools affect their applications," he said.
Commissioner Robert McDowell noted that the popular video-sharing site, YouTube, consumes more Internet bandwidth today than the entire Internet did in the year 2000. McDowell indicated support for network management practices, claiming that broadband providers "have the incentive to deploy new technologies."
The hearing generated controversy before it began, as some people arriving hours in advance were unable to enter the courtroom, leading to allegations that Comcast and Verizon stacked the audience.
"Verizon and Comcast came in at 9 a.m. and brought a bunch of people and filled up all the seats, and now the public doesn't have any access," said Joanna Marinova, a representative of Project: Think Different, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that promotes civic awareness. "I think it's a lack of distrust; if you're really interested in the public interest and preserving it, then you should be asking the people first and foremost."
During the first panel discussion at the hearing, Marvin Ammori, general counsel for Free Press, a nationwide nonpartisan organization that works to reform the media, slammed Comcast for interfering with peer-to-peer network traffic. "Comcast is deliberately targeting peer-to-peer networking," Ammori said. "By targeting peer-to-peer networks, Comcast is disrupting innovation and investment."
For its part, Comcast officials argued network management is necessary to keep Internet services from failing. "There's nothing wrong with network management," Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen said. "Every broadband network is managed, and every network must be managed or no network would function."
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CAMBRIDGE - Protesters took to the campus of Harvard Law School on Monday for a five-hour Federal Communications Commission hearing dealing with proposed legislation preventing telecommunication companies from controlling who gets faster or slower broadband Internet service.
Executive vice presidents of telecommunications giants Verizon and Comcast joined all five commissioners to discuss the concept of "net neutrality," the principle that all Internet traffic should have equal priority. Net neutrality became an issue last year, after Comcast admitted to using network optimization techniques that slowed the traffic from peer-to-peer networking programs, such as BitTorrent.
"Right now we have a level playing field, but if the telecom companies get their way, they'll close that all down and erect toll booths," said Bill Santoro, a local musician who has made money selling his albums worldwide via the Internet. "Start-up businesses, entrepreneurs, everything that's made the Internet what it is will all be history, and I'll end up having to pay for this two-tiered system whereby people who pay big bucks can have their content delivered across the net at lightning speed."
Historically, peer-to-peer networking was used for illegal file sharing. More recently, it has become a way to distribute large files, such as high-definition movies, in a more efficient manner. Peer-to-peer networking revolves around the principle of using multiple computers and Internet connections to distribute small pieces of an individual file. The result is faster delivery of large files. However, as more and more computers begin sharing files, the often slower uploading bandwidth becomes bogged down, especially on cable modems, which share bandwidth among many users in a geographical area.
Gilles BianRosa, CEO of Vuze Inc., which uses peer-to-peer technology to distribute licensed high-definition video to customers around the world, demonstrated his service, showing how optimization tactics, like those employed by Comcast could adversely impact his service.
"We are not against reasonable network management practices," BianRosa said. "We are against management without boundaries."
The FCC so far does not have a formal policy on net neutrality. However, Rep. Ed Markey (D.-Mass.), who suggested Cambridge for the FCC hearing, proposed making net neutrality the law.
 Media Credit: David Maltz Joanna Marinova, a member of Boston's Project: Think Different, protests the lack of public involvement at the FCC hearing on Monday. |
"The beauty of the Internet is its wonderful chaotic ability to reinvent itself each year," Markey said. "The internet is as much mine and yours as it is AT&T and Verizon's."
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, indicated network management is acceptable, but needs to be done fairly. "Consumers need to know if and how network management tools affect their applications," he said.
Commissioner Robert McDowell noted that the popular video-sharing site, YouTube, consumes more Internet bandwidth today than the entire Internet did in the year 2000. McDowell indicated support for network management practices, claiming that broadband providers "have the incentive to deploy new technologies."
The hearing generated controversy before it began, as some people arriving hours in advance were unable to enter the courtroom, leading to allegations that Comcast and Verizon stacked the audience.
"Verizon and Comcast came in at 9 a.m. and brought a bunch of people and filled up all the seats, and now the public doesn't have any access," said Joanna Marinova, a representative of Project: Think Different, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that promotes civic awareness. "I think it's a lack of distrust; if you're really interested in the public interest and preserving it, then you should be asking the people first and foremost."
During the first panel discussion at the hearing, Marvin Ammori, general counsel for Free Press, a nationwide nonpartisan organization that works to reform the media, slammed Comcast for interfering with peer-to-peer network traffic. "Comcast is deliberately targeting peer-to-peer networking," Ammori said. "By targeting peer-to-peer networks, Comcast is disrupting innovation and investment."
For its part, Comcast officials argued network management is necessary to keep Internet services from failing. "There's nothing wrong with network management," Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen said. "Every broadband network is managed, and every network must be managed or no network would function."