comshaft strikes again

[Robert Krawitz]

   Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:57:10 -0400
   From: Mark Richards <mark.richards-ZvhrkzvLxqWgSpxsJD1C4w at public.gmane.org>

   Matthew Gillen wrote:
   > Always trying to one-up Verizon, Comcast has cut off *all* of USENET to
   > their broadband customers:
   > http://www.comcast.net/newsgroups

   Are there no more principles left for the public internet?  Comcast has 
   already violated the principle of open access.  With this move they come 
   closer to biting the FCC in the ass once more.

   The very first statement in the FCC's "Internet Policy" reads:

   "To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and 
   interconnected nature of the public Internet, consumers are entitled to 
   access the lawful Internet content of their choice."

   http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-151A1.pdf

   That the current maladministration would act at all in the public
   interest is notable and naturally suggests other intent, such as
   propping up Verizon because they're a dues-paying member of the
   club.  Just ask the former CEO of Southwestern Bell what happens
   when you don't pay and play.  The FCC's concern over Comcast's
   first violation suggests they may not go easy over this one, or at
   least may have additional political leverage to squeeze some
   Comcast testicle.

   However, Comcast has given themselves an out.  Whilst shutting off
   their own servers they are not (yet) blocking access to third party
   providers.  They can then claim to be a good player on the public
   internet while not operating with a full deck.

That's going a bit too far.  It isn't non-neutral to simply not
provide a certain service -- there are third-party providers of
Usenet, after all.

If they start blocking NNTP clients talking to other servers, then it
becomes a different matter, but this alone doesn't strike me as
particularly problematic.

-- 
Robert Krawitz                                     <rlk-FrUbXkNCsVf2fBVCVOL8/A at public.gmane.org>

Tall Clubs International  --  http://www.tall.org/ or 1-888-IM-TALL-2
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