What is Net Neutrality?

Net neutrality is a debate over the future direction of the Internet. NetCompetition advocates continuing a free market Internet and opposes a government-run Internet. Net neutrality advocates activist regulation of broadband prices, terms, and conditions.

Google’s Open Double Standard — Fact-Checking Google’s Treatise on “The meaning of open”

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:43:43 +0000 Google posted its treatise on “The meaning of open” designed to redefine the word “open” in Google’s image. It is an important read because it is a bay window view into the altruistic way that Google yearns for the world to perceive it. Like most all of Google’s PR, however, Google’s Treatise on “The meaning [...]

FCC’s Berkman study debunked by Bret Swanson

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:41:15 +0000 Kudos to Bret Swanson for his outstanding debunking of the approach and conclusions of the FCC’s Berkman study on broadband policy lessons in his Real Clear Markets piece, “Harvard’s Berkman Study Bungles Broadband.” To the extent that the FCC wants its decisions to be fact-based, data-driven, and respected, the FCC’s National Broadband Plan conclusions can [...]

Google-Yelp: Google’s Monopolization Strategy is Coming into Clearer Focus

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:13:10 +0000 Google’s reported likely acquisition of Yelp, a popular review site for local businesses in major cities, does a lot to bring Google’s broader monopolization strategy into clearer focus. Yelp is potentially just the latest in a slew of strategic information-related acquisitions that Google has made, that when looked at individually — look small and innocuous, [...]

Chrome is not an Internet Browser and not open, but closed to the Internet’s Domain Name System

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:10:17 +0000 Since the EU-Microsoft settlement now will allow users to select an Internet browser from Microsoft, Mozilla, Google, Apple, and Opera among others, the next relevant competitive issue with browsers is if the browsers themselvesa are operating clandestinely in an anti-competitive or closed way. In other words, whether or not browsers are non-neutral and divert the [...]

Googleopoly V — Why the FTC Should Block Google-AdMob

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:33:40 +0000   Below is the abstract of my latest white paper in my five-part “Googleopoly” series of antitrust white papers. The full white paper is at this link and at www.googleopoly.net.   Googleopoly V* — Why the FTC Should Block Google-AdMob The Top Ten Reasons Why Google-AdMob Would “Substantially Lessen Competition”   By Scott Cleland,** President, Precursor LLC December 16, 2009   Abstract: A Google [...]

Read May’s Great Op-ed: “Voiding the Constitution”

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:07:58 +0000 Kudos to Randy May of the Free State Foundation for his outstanding op-ed in the Washington Times today: “Voiding the Constitution: FCC rules could counter free speech.” Randy’s must read piece explains why net neutrality rules would perversely accomplish the exact opposite of what net neutrality proponents claim. At core net neutrality proponents are trying [...]

Why/how did Google outbid Apple for AdMob? Schmidt: Google Apple not “primary competitors”

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:04:38 +0000 Recent revelations indicate that the seriousness of the FTC’s antitrust investigation of Google’s proposed acquisition of AdMob will be ramping up. Only eight months ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt claimed Google and Apple were not “primary competitors” when a shareholder asked Mr. Schmidt to step down from Apple’s board, because of an FTC antitrust investigation [...]

First Amendment 2.0 Ratified by 3 FCC Commissioners? The Principle-less-ness of Net Neutrality

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:18:46 +0000 The foundation of American Democracy for over 200 years has been respect for the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. The advent of the mainstream Internet in the 1990’s created a new and exceptional medium for free expression, much as telephone, radio, movies, TV, faxes, dial-up, email, texting, etc. have created new technological mediums [...]

Schmidt Goobris: “we should have 100% share”

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:46:48 +0000 Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt told Forbes: “Our model is just better.” “Based on that, we should have 100% share” — per Forbes cover story: “When Google runs your life.” This is a remarkably ill-advised admission when Google is: Seeking FTC antitrust approval to buy the leading mobile advertising marketplace and direct Google competitor Admob; Seeking DOJ and court [...]

PFF’s Esbin debunks net neutrality assertions

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:37:42 +0000 I strongly recommend Barbara Esbin’s excellent PFF white paper that systematically debunks many of the core assertions of net neutrality proponents. Barbara’s clarity of thought, and her reasonable and well documented analysis proves that so many assertions of supposed “fact” made by net neutrality proponents simply can not withstand close scrutiny.   Posted in FCC, Freedom of [...]