Net neutrality equals internet openness

Satdude

Net neutrality equals internet openness

Tim Berners-Lee, the godfather of the internet, joined the debate on net neutrality yesterday, saying that the proposal for a two tier internet was not part of the original model. He said the internet would enter a "dark period" if network neutrality is dismissed.

Speaking at the WWW2006 conference in Edinburgh yesterday, Berners-Lee said that the implementation of a two tier structure for the internet would be detrimental for all areas of the market.

"If I don't get an internet connection that only allows me to connect to certain websites, then it's better for the internet [connectivity] market and better for the website market," he said.

Earlier this month, the US Senate took the first step towards rewriting the country's telecoms laws, but rebuffed calls for network neutrality.

Despite intensive lobbying from the likes of amazon, Google and Yahoo, the legislation made no requirements that carriers treat all services travelling over their networks with equal consideration.

But despite these fears that a two tier system would mean users would only have full access to certain parts of the internet that they paid for, while some companies would be given priority over others, Berner-Lee remains optimistic.

"There are places where there should be regulation...but you're not allowed to print money," he said. "I think it [the internet] is one and will remain as one.

"The internet is about information, it helps me decide what I buy, how to vote, how to behave. With the [neutral] internet we have the possibility of being much better informed."

The British scientist developed the concept of the World Wide Web in the late 80's primarily as an academic tool for data sharing among scientists.

Regards Satdude.