2006-10-25 15:30:54 · 16 answers · asked by Geirhildr 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Specifically, AT&T has hinted that it plans to charge Web companies a kind of toll to send data at the highest speeds down DSL lines into its subscribers' homes. The plan would make AT&T a gatekeeper of media in your home. Under the proposal, the tens of millions of people who get their Internet service from AT&T might only be able to access heavy-bandwidth applications -- such as audio, video, and Internet phone service -- from the companies that have paid AT&T a fee. Meanwhile, firms that don't pay -- perhaps Google, Yahoo, Skype, YouTube, Salon, or anyone else -- would be forced to use a smaller and slower section of the AT&T network, what Internet pioneer Vint Cerf calls a "dirt road" on the Internet. AT&T's idea, its critics say, would shrink the vast playground of the Internet into something resembling the corporate strip mall of cable TV.
2006-10-25 15:41:09 · update #1
I'm not hinting that charges would filter down to the end-users. In recent months, all three remaining baby bells—Verizon, BellSouth and AT&T-SBC—have made noise about charging additional fees to network-traffic-generating businesses such as Google and Apple, claiming that their profitable bandwidth-intensive applications are free riders on the telecommunications carriers' networks. While the phone companies say they don't propose to block specific applications altogether, as service provider Madison River Communications attempted to do in blocking Vonage VOIP (voice over IP) traffic through its network last year, they are pushing to scrap the application- and provider-neutral Internet we know in favor of a multitiered version in which providers would be required to pay premium prices for the privilege of furnishing popular services. Google announced in Jan 2006 that it didn't plan to pay additional fees or even discuss the question with the phone companies.
2006-10-25 15:51:53 · update #2
It's a hoax
2006-10-25 15:40:29 · answer #1 · answered by belmyst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a hoax that has been floating around the Web for years! You get an e-mail talking about a new bill that, if passed, would charge you for each e-mail you send(the amount varies, but usually ten to fifteen cents). But if you check it out (snopes.com is good for this), you find out no such bill has been proposed.
You already pay to use the Internet. The bill comes from your service provider, your phone company(if you have dial-up), and your electric company. So relax.
2006-10-25 22:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by perelandra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been floated around since Clinton entered office through Congress, but there has never been a bill proposed. The thought was to tax the internet.
2006-10-25 22:33:07 · answer #3 · answered by mr_tasty_phlegm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No and they best not put a toll on computers for that. We pay enough to get hooked up and running on line. I will go back to letters and pay the 39 cents for 1st class.
2006-10-25 22:32:45 · answer #4 · answered by susral65 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This has got to be the most ridiculous proposal ever. What is the world coming to?
2006-10-25 22:40:50 · answer #5 · answered by krumlov 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about your country but my country is offering free wireless network in most shopping centre from next year onwards..
2006-10-25 22:33:24 · answer #6 · answered by mummyBlur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya good old UNCLE SAM trying to shove his hand deeper into our pockets. Sound like they voted themselves another Pay Raise! "PEACE"
2006-10-25 22:48:59 · answer #7 · answered by dj viper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah.. a PROPOSAL. As soon as the guy brought it up, everybody told him to shut up!
2006-10-25 22:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by Snaredrum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard of this a couple years back and it came from our government's administration.
2006-10-25 22:32:56 · answer #9 · answered by nobluffzone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will never be a toll charge.
2006-10-25 22:32:56 · answer #10 · answered by Joe T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋