Comcast demands Netflix toll amongst net neutrality arguments

Net neutrality is once again at issue. Comcast is charging Netflix for network accessibility. Several network providers claim that they can self-police. Comcast’s new “traffic toll” is leading several to question if this is really possible. There’s a rumor the Federal Communications Commission might vote on net neutrality in December. Article resource – Comcast demands Netflix toll amongst net neutrality arguments by Money Blog Newz.

Comcast charges Netflix a cost

Television, internet and telephone services are offered through Comcast. An on-demand and pay-per-view online film service is used by Comcast too. Level 3 is a content-delivery network that is working with Netflix to deliver their streaming content to your computer. Comcast wants to charge for level 3. This means that Netflix will pay a “recurring fee in exchange for allowing Netflix streaming media … to flow unfettered.” Netflix can have to pay for this for Comcast customers. Otherwise, the service could be unavailable.

The Comcast/Netflix net neutrality issue

The general concept of net neutrality is that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally. The FCC had to sanction Comcast this year right after BitTorrent file sharing was "throttled" or slowed down. A fight was began when Comcast disagreed. It said traffic equality was not in any kind of law or rule. Comcast says it’s charging Level 3 and Netflix the fee since the high level of web traffic through Netflix strains their network. Opponents are saying Netflix has to pay the fee because their service competes with Comcast’s own content streaming network.

Debate from net neutrality

The Comcast/Netflix fee is said by some to be a great example of the importance of net neutrality. The idea is that no internet traffic ought to be treated as more or less than any other traffic. Just like cable television functions, Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and other large internet providers suggest that internet providers should be able to make their own deals. What is your opinion? Ought to businesses be able to regulate themselves or should net neutrality be started by the Federal Communications Commission?

Information from

PC World

pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211964/comcast_toll_on_netflix_screams_for_net_neutrality.html?tk=hp_new

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/11/the-morning-fix-comcast-in-fight-with-level-3-seacrest-staying-on-radio-winters-bone-has-good-night-.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality