net neutrality

Quite OT, but I figured this would be of interest to a lot of readers since there seem to be a large number of EECS majors.  Also, according to the latest surveys, everyone here is an Internet user.

Google and Verizon are reportedly close to having a deal to ensure Google traffic receives priority on Verizon networks.  This is particularly disappointing to me since Google has been a key promoter of net neutrality but has apparently abandoned that approach and is now leading the way on taking advantage of a non-neutral future.

A lot of this is a result of a court ruling that the FCC, who tried to impose net neutrality, does not have jurisdiction over broadband Internet.  So it wouldn't be surprising if this development pushed Congress to give the FCC that power, but if not it might move us in a direction where the idea of net neutrality is a thing of the past.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/technology/05secret.html?_r=2&src=twt&twt=nytimes