Net Neutrality

Let's think about this for a minute: How can prioritized networks work for the BOC? Independent ISPs, New Edge, Covad, cable, CLECs, WISPs, BPL and satellite - all provide alternative access to the internet. So how do the Bells think that they will keep customers under their new network plan?

• Indie ISPs are being shut out of DSL in VZ-land. Access to FiOS will only be as a sales agent for VOL. ISPs need access to Layer 2 to differentiate services.
• BST just added a PVC to the NSPs that looks like reselling the IP Product will be the next step. Commercial DSL agreements end in less than 2 years.
• NEN and Covad can offer broadband --> for now. When do those commercial agreements expire?
• WISPs - not enough subs to worry about
• Cellular/EVDO - owned by the BOCs
• CLECs - well, they only sell T1 service... too expensive to be a replacement
• BPL - who knows? First of many competing standards was just released by OPERA. Trials are underway. IBM, Google and Microsoft have jumped in the fray.
• Satellite - expensive and latency issues. Could it scale?
• Cable - the MSOs would probably launch a similar plan
None of this will happen in the near term - it would jeopardize the merger plans. Also, it will require th deployment of IMS. The technical problems they are having with IPTV, ADSL2+, and VDSL, while rolling out more fiber, swapping out copper, deploying IMS, and merging all these companies together will keep them busy through 2007. Look for Net Neutrality to end in 2007.