Net Neutrality crashes at Westminster

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Andrew Orlowski <Andrew.Orlowski () theregister co uk>
Date: March 22, 2007 12:20:17 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Net Neutrality crashes at Westminster

Dave,

The UK held its first debate on "Net Neutrality" at Westminster this  
week,  ann event was attended by MPs, Lords, policy makers and a wide  
cross section of industry.

Summing up from the chair, the Rt.Hon. Alun Michael MP, the former  
Trade and Industry Minister, described the consensus view of  
Neutrality in the UK as  "extreme... unattractive and impractical".

Viewed from the UK, Net Neutrality was "an answer to problems we  
don't have, using a philosophy we don't share".

Michael, along with other speakers, characterized Neutrality as a  
"symbolic gestures".  I gave a brief presentation (citing Kahn,  
Crowcroft, Farber) which attempts to describe in more depth why  
Neutrality appears be such a US-specific phenomenon.

"Net Neutrality: A Monkey Hangers' Guide"
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/21/ 
net_neutrality_a_monkey_hangers_guide/

A report on the event:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/20/uk_net_neutrality/

a

(For IP if you wish)

Andrew Orlowski
Editor at Large
The Register
London





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