I just came across this nugget in the Washington Post:
Congress has failed to pass legislation regarding so-called “Net Neutrality,” and now the issue is again top of mind as Internet providers seeking preferential treatment; network operators considering a tiered approach, and once-staunch defenders beginning to soften their stance on the matter. This time, it appears Google (NSDQ: GOOG), which has been traditional a huge advocate of network equality and openness, is working behind the scenes with major cable and phone companies to get its Internet traffic prioritized,according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Maybe there are more plugged in people on the blog who know what’s going on with this?
UPDATE: From the blog Obsidian Wings:
Google is now saying the WSJ got the story wrong. What Google is seeking, it claims, is to improve service by linking caching servers within broadband providers’ facilities (essentially making service faster by moving Google servers closer to you — that’s not a perfect explanation though, so spare me techies). According to Richard Whitt (Google’s chief DC lobbying dude), the WSJ just doesn’t understand caching. He adds:
Despite the hyperbolic tone and confused claims in Monday’s Journal story, I want to be perfectly clear about one thing: Google remains strongly committed to the principle of net neutrality, and we will continue to work with policymakers in the years ahead to keep the Internet free and open.