Interesting People mailing list archives
Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:14:47 +0900
Begin forwarded message: From: Brett Glass <brett () lariat net> Date: February 26, 2007 9:02:05 AM JST To: dave () farber net, ip () v2 listbox com Subject: Re: [IP] Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks At 12:48 PM 2/24/2007, Bob Hinden wrote:
Skype yesterday petitioned the FCC to lay the smack down on wireless phone carriers who "limit subscribers' right to run software communications applications of their choosing" (read: Skype software). Skype wants the agency to more stringently apply the famous 1968 Carterfone decision that allowed consumers to hook any device up to the phone network, so long as it did not harm the network. In Skype's eyes, that means allowing any software or applications to run on any devices that access the network.To me, this is what "Network Neutrality" is all about. Is it OK forthe network provider to limit the applications that can use the network?
Dave, and members of the IP list: Actually, as an ISP, I would argue that the answer is "Yes." While this looks, superficially, like a consumer rights issue, it is in fact a bit more than that. The key thing that one must understand -- and this is a bit technical -- is that Skype works by "robbing" bandwidth from its users and their ISPs. Skype does not buy enough bandwidth to route or connect all of the calls placed via its network. At any time, a Skype user who merely hasthe software running -- but is not making a call -- may be using bandwidth
to connect a call that involves neither the user's ISP nor any of that ISP's customers. This is a moderate concern on a land-based network, but is of GREAT concern on wireless networks, which are severely constrained by tower capacity and the scarcity of radio spectrum. If Skype, by operating on the wireless provider's network, would in effect be consuming the provider's valuable bandwidth and airtime without compensation (which really does seem to be the case), the cell phone company is perfectly justified in saying, "No." We operate a terrestrial broadband network (not a cell phone network), which has more capacity. Nonetheless, we do find that we're impacted by bandwidth-robbing applications and do find that it is necessary to rein them in (though we do not currently ban them). --Brett Glass ------------------------------------------- Archives: http://v2.listbox.com/member/archive/247/@now Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
Current thread:
- Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 22)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 24)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 25)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 25)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 25)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 25)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 26)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 26)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 26)
- Re: Skype asks FCC to open up cellular networks David Farber (Feb 28)