On August 5, 2010, reports first emerged detailing the talks between Google and Verizon with implications regarding Net Neutrality. Backlash was swift and harsh, and Google and Verizon were quick to make a public statement defending the openness and neutral nature of the Internet and their dedication to net neutrality.
There was just one problem with their response – it was a lie.
If you read the Verizon-Google Legislative Framework Proposal – go ahead, it’s only two pages – you’ll see a handful of items that may make you raise an eyebrow. But one thing should stand out and should scare the crap out of you:
“Wireless Broadband: Because of the unique technical and operational characteristics of wireless networks, and the competitive and still-developing nature of wireless broadband services, only the transparency principle would apply to wireless broadband at this time.” (emphasis added)
The transparency principle is simply about disclosure. The non-discrimination requirement is the essential point that addresses content neutrality, and the Google-Verizon Proposal specifically excludes wireless broadband from it! What’s more, the wording is vague, and I wonder: if any part of the connection between the ISP and the consumer was wireless, would that exempt the ISP from the non-discrimination clause? If so, this is even worse than I thought, but if not, it’s still incredibly dangerous.
One of Google’s main tenets is “do no evil,” and from what I can see, they’re dangerously close to breaking that in a horrible way. Ok, so a company becomes a mega-corporation and starts doing evil things; it’s the oldest story in the book, right?
Well, now it’s time for the conspiracy theory. Let’s set up some dominos and see if they fall.
Google publishes its latest search engine algorithm, called Google Caffeine. One of the most salient traits of this algorithm is that it factors site loading speed into its ranking equation. Google enters into talks with Verizon that have much broader ISP implications. These talks open the door for ISPs to tier the speed of delivery for Web content through their wireless broadband networks. If you’re with me up to this point, all the stuff I just mention has already happened.
Next, content only available on the “regular Internet” is routed more slowly than content available through both the regular Internet and the upgraded tier, because during certain points of transmission, that traffic is given priority.
As a result, a site owner has to pay for inclusion in the upgraded tier not only to ensure their content gets delivered quickly to people, but also to satisfy the speed requirements built into the Google search engine algorithm. The ISP gets their share, and if so negotiated, Google gets its share. That means…pay for placement.
There are definitely holes in this theory, and I’m not sure I believe it myself. But then again, I never believed Google would be the one to mount the first corporate assault on our Internet. So, take it all with a grain of salt, but pay attention to moves these corporations make in the future, because every one of you has a stake in the decisions that follow.
By the way, if you’re wondering why I’m not pointing the finger at Verizon and calling them names, it’s because everyone already knows Verizon is evil. 
Great network though. I use them myself. I’m such a hypocrite!
About Paul Hirsch
Paul Hirsch is a moderator on WebHostingTalk.com, the largest Web hosting community on the Internet, and he is a founder and Core Team member of the International Web Developers Network (IWDN). He is co-owner of Studio1337, a Web design and development company located in Akron/Canton, Ohio, West. Hartford, Conn. and Teesside, U.K. Paul received his bachelors degree from Kent State University in Electronic Media Production, with minors in Computer Information Systems and Sociology. He earned a masters degree in Media Management from Kent as well. Through his theWHIR blog, he will offer perspectives on developments in design technology for the people who create what Web hosts host.
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