Goliath AT&T Caves to Net Neutrality Condition!
Net Neutrality advocates still have work to do, since there’s a 24 month limit on the Net Neutrality provision in the AT&T Merger conditions that Whitacre just put forward as his compromise, but this is HUGE. First, by making this compromise in order to get the merger approved, Whitacre is directly contradicting his earlier statement that he doesn’t even know what Net Neutrality means, not to mention the Telecomm’s oft repeated contention that they wouldn’t be able to afford to build out the broadband network with Net Neutrality in place. This compromise by AT&T also sets a hugely important precedent on future mergers in the telecom and cable arenas. How? For one thing, it defines Net Neutrality clearly.
In his initial wrapup of the Terms and Conditions of the Compromise, Harold Feld of Wetmachine says, “Network neutrality is required in its fullest form. AT&T cannot prioritize or degrade service based on third party payments or affiliation anywhere between the peering point and the residential “last mile.” So not only has the definition of network neutrality been solidified consistent with that advocated by Save Our Internet and others, but it has been extended from the last mile to the vertically integrated backbone . . . Residential fixed WiMax is included in the definition of “last mile.” This is the first time net neutrality has ever been applied to a wireless network.”
There are a bunch of people responsible for AT&T’s compromise. At the very top of the list are three FCC Commissioners. Copps and Adelstein, the two Dems on the FCC, stood firm and fought the good fight, despite HUGE pressure from many fronts. And Republican Commissioner McDowell is to be highly commended for his ethical stance in refusing to cave to pressure to vote on the merger despite his earlier recusal.
The other people responsible? SavetheInternet.com, the grassroots advocacy group and all its far flung and bipartisan membership deserve a huge pat on the back for a job well done. All the people who responded to the FCC’s factfinding, and weighed in about the merger deserve credit for keeping the pressure on the FCC to do the right thing. The Bloggers and NetRoots kept the issue of Net Neutrality in the forefront and made Big Media pay attention, though it was Jon Stewart’s Daily Show’s take on Tubes that really made sure that Network News couldn’t ignore Net Neutrality. MySpace Members, Craigslist, Ebay, Google and other large internet companies also deserve a lot of credit for helping spread the word. Advocacy Groups such as the Media Access Project, MoveOn.org, the US PIRG, Common Cause, and many others. All this activity kept the awareness of what was at stake and put Telecomm Execs like Ed Whitacre on notice that the will of the American People could not be bulldozed, sold, or bargained away by throwing money at lobbyists, PR firms and astroturf groups, or pressuring members of the FCC (at least it didn’t work with three of the five . . . which is what was needed.)
One thing this capitulation proves beyond a reasonable doubt– BITCHSLAPPIN WORKS! The more the NetRoots put the pressure on, the less effect special interests will have in our Congress and our Federal Agencies.
We still have a battle ahead, since we’re not safe until Net Neutrality is put back into law, but now that the issue has been defined, and a precedent has been set, it will make it a bit easier to see this through to a good conclusion.
I can’t say I’m happy that the AT&T/BellSouth Merger is going to happen even with the compromises AT&T has made for the deal, but at least some good has come of the situation. My reservations have to do with the fact that competition in the Telecom arena has been pretty much wiped out. Until Local Loop Unbundling is made law, there are no real options for those who use landlines. Putting Ma Bell back together again is still not a good idea. It’s just slightly less of a bad idea.
Technorati Tags: AT&T BellSouth Merger, Net Neutrality, Wifi, Local Loop Unbundling, Ma Bell, Telecommunications, Copps, Adelstein, McDowell, Whitacre
