Net Neutrality and YOU! (Don't let big cable destory the internet)

Wellspring · June 2014

Lets face it. Without the internet MMORPGs would not exist.

And when something comes along that tries to hurt the internet, I think it should be especially important to us as gamers to try and do something about it.

For those of you who don't already know, the American cable providers are trying to create an unequal playing field for internet speeds. They want the ability to charge companies (such as Netflix) a premium so that their content will be streamed to users faster. This proposal violates Net Neutrality, which currently ensures that all websites are treated equal by internet service providers.

I think John Oliver explains it best (probably the most important 13 minutes of your entire year):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU

If this gets passed, what is to stop cable companies from forcing MMORPG companies from having to pay for the internet "Fast Lane". You think it is hard for indie developers to make an MMO now. Imagine how much more difficult it will be to compete when all of the AAA companies can afford to pay for the fast lane.

As John says in the video, there is still something we can do about it. The FCC is allowing everyone to post comments and give feedback on the proposal.

www.fcc.gov/comments, for any interested parties

Flyte27 · June 2014

I would rather they pass a law to ban real money transactions inside of video games.

bliss14 · June 2014

No matter what, they will manage to eff up the internet just like everything else that gets monitored heavily. Signed.

SEANMCAD · June 2014

guys...

deregulation almost always leads to disaster.

Enron, AIG are two recient examples of deregulation.

Is there such thing as too much? absolutely

But when your contracts legally obligate you to put profits over anything whatsoever there is little reason to think a monopoly of snake oil will not happen.

markets will correct you say?

and they do...how? by regulating after everyone lost money.

Solar_Prophet · June 2014

You're paying for their service and, like it or not, they have every right to restrict traffic and / or charge what they please for it. Don't like it? Get service someplace else; either an existing company or a new one will take advantage of the situation and make their own service more attractive to people and corporations who's service is being restricted due to their usage patterns.

Stop trying to get Big Brother involved with everything. Anybody with an IQ over 50 in the US knows that anything our government touches turns to shit, and the internet and 'net neutrality' will be no exception.

Annwyn · June 2014

Originally posted by Solar_Prophet
You're paying for their service and, like it or not, they have every right to restrict traffic and / or charge what they please for it. Don't like it? Get service someplace else; either an existing company or a new one will take advantage of the situation and make their own service more attractive to people and corporations who's service is being restricted due to their usage patterns.

Stop trying to get Big Brother involved with everything. Anybody with an IQ over 50 in the US knows that anything our government touches turns to shit, and the internet and 'net neutrality' will be no exception.

Silly, "Big Brother" is already involved. Hell, he's the one who put a telecommunication chief lobbyist at the head of the FCC to "regulate" telecommunication companies and is about to make the decision to end Net Neutrality. Also, as stated in the video, the vast majority of US citizens only have access to 2 or fewer service providers. "Get service someplace else" doesn't sound as easy as it sounds.

Dauzqul · June 2014

Originally posted by Solar_Prophet
You're paying for their service and, like it or not, they have every right to restrict traffic and / or charge what they please for it. Don't like it? Get service someplace else; either an existing company or a new one will take advantage of the situation and make their own service more attractive to people and corporations who's service is being restricted due to their usage patterns.

Stop trying to get Big Brother involved with everything. Anybody with an IQ over 50 in the US knows that anything our government touches turns to shit, and the internet and 'net neutrality' will be no exception.

This^

Competition is a good thing. But then again, there are 3 providers in my area to choose from. I have family that is only limited to one.

Lawlmonster · June 2014

To be fair, trying to blame this whole problem on big wig cable companies is a bit misplaced, considering government officials, specifically our President, put one of the largest lobbyists for the cable industry into the position of chairman of the FCC, and that's just a small part of the issue; the FCC hasn't been doing it's job for a long time. So, while it's important that we recognize the crazy, multi-business monopoly that's occurring with cable providers in the United States, we also need to recognize that this mess would never have gotten as far as it has if the FCC, and our government by proximity, had been enforcing regulation without agenda (which I think most American's are beginning to realize, is an almost impossible goal to achieve).