Google, Verizon propose net neutrality rules

Aug 9, 2010, 22:45 GMT

San Francisco - Google and Verizon on Monday jointly proposed a new set of net neutrality rules that would ban carriers from slowing down most kinds of internet traffic, but allow them to provide 'differentiated online' service separate from the public internet.

The proposal comes amid contentious debate about net neutrality as the increasing demands made by high bandwidth consumers have prompted many internet providers to slow down content such as video downloads.

Google and Verizon announced the pact in an official blog posting, which called for banning broadband providers from discriminating against or prioritizing 'lawful internet content, applications or services in a way that causes harm to users or competition.'

Among the differentiated services that broadband providers could offer were such things as 'health monitoring, advanced educational services or new entertainment and gaming options,' the proposal said.

The proposal envisaged a fine of up to 2 million dollars per violation, but exempted wireless providers from the new rules 'in part because the mobile marketplace is more competitive and changing rapidly,' the companies said.

'The original architects of the internet got the big things right,' said Alan Davidson, Google director of public policy, and Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president of public affairs. 'By making the network open, they enabled the greatest exchange of ideas in history. By making the internet scalable, they enabled explosive innovation in the infrastructure. It is imperative that we find ways to protect the future openness of the Internet and encourage the rapid deployment of broadband.'