Google Denies Undermining Net Neutrality
Google is pushing back against a New York Times story which argues that the company is trying to work against Net neutrality:
Computerworld - Google today denied reports that it is in talks with Verizon for a deal that could undermine Net neutrality.
According to reports in today's Wall Street Journal and The New York Times Google and Verizon, both major online players, are close to finalizing an agreement that would have Verizon speeding some online content more quickly than other content if the content's creators pay for it. YouTube, which is owned by Google, could greatly benefit by having its bandwidth weighty videos get priority treatment.
Google, however, told Computerworld this morning that there is no basis to the reports.
"The New York Times is quite simply wrong," wrote Mistique Cano, a Google spokesman, in an e-mail. "We have not had any conversations with Verizon about paying for carriage of Google traffic. We remain as committed as we always have been to an open Internet."
Google, however, has not denied being in discussions with Verizon and other Internet companies about net neutrality issues in general. Verizon also confirmed to the em>Wall Street Journal< that it has been in ongoing talks with Google and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Discussions aren't something new between Google and Verizon.
Last October, Google CEO Eric Schmidt wrote in a blog post that it's critical that Google engage in ongoing discussions with Verizon on Net neutrality.
"Both of our businesses rely on each other. So we believe it's appropriate to discuss how we ensure that consumers can get the information, products, and services they want online, encourage investment in advanced networks and ensure the openness of the Web around the world," wrote Schmidt. "We're ready to engage in this important policy discussion."
What Google is denying is that executives are discussing paying for prioritized service.
"If they were discussing that, Google might have to get a whole new motto," said Carl Howe, an analyst with the Yankee Group, referring to the company's well-known "do no evil" motto. "What I think is happening is that they're having a dialogue. I think they're trying to find ways to work together where everyone goes home happy."
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