The FCC queries Google's take on wireless net neutrality

NOT EXACTLY BOWLED OVER by Google's explanation of its deal with Verizon on net neutrality, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has asked for more information on the pact.

Last month Google caused a firestorm of controversy after it announced that it had made a deal with the telecoms operator Verizon. The deal between the Internet search and advertising giant and the US telco essentially left wireless communications at the mercy of the major telecoms like Verizon, with both parties saying that wireless is somehow "different".

With the public not buying the argument, if it could be called that, it was no surprise that the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Preserving the Open Internet (NPRM), in staunch support of net neutrality, has deemed that "There are two complex issues that merit further inquiry". The first concerns what the FCC terms "specialised services", more commonly known as managed connectivity, and the second addresses the gaping hole in Google's self-proclaimed "realistic approach" to net neutrality with respect to wireless connectivity.

The NPRM is concerned that specialised services being flogged by Internet service providers (ISPs) will concentrate on providing guaranteed performance levels for particular services. The three main points it outlines pretty much describe net neutrality advocates' worst fears. The prioritisation of particular services, stifling of competition and decreases in bandwidth capacity upgrades as ISPs favour particular services above others in order to compensate for a lack of bandwidth are all possibilities, according to the NPRM.

On the issue of wireless connectivity perhaps the most pertinent question asked by the FCC was, "Some mobile providers have introduced usage-based data pricing. To what extent do these business models mitigate concerns about congestion of scarce network capacity by third-party devices?" Customers would be forgiven for taking a cynical view of mobile operators after they slapped on bandwidth usage limits and did a pretty good job of hiding excess bandwidth utilisation fees. The FCC also questioned whether upgrades to next generation wireless network technology such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) will help matters.

It was not unexpected that Verizon's US rival AT&T has adopted an agressive stance against net neutrality, adopting the same arguments as its competitor. The INQUIRER reported that AT&T admitted that it provides managed connectivity to many of its customers and called a net neutrality advocate organisation a "conspiracy theorist". AT&T also labeled net neutrality as oppressive and warned that it would harm growth and innovation. We were unable to confirm whether the US telecoms operator has its statements written by the Telegraph.

Whether the FCC will receive adequate answers to its questions posed to Google is anyone's guess at this point. Google, the telecoms operators and the ISPs will no doubt fight for the ability to continue providing various innovations and specialisations in order to increase their revenues in almost any way they can. µ