Networks v Content Providers
Lots of stories (like this) recently about network providers planning to charge content/service providers for delivering data over their networks. Pretty crazy, since the customers have already paid for their use of these networks.
The network providers must have calculated the cost of filling the expected bandwidth needs before deciding to go with a flat monthly fee, rather than a usage-based fee. Well, if their predictions were wrong, and users now need more bandwidth than expected, that was a risk they took.
The fact is that users are paying for broadband in order to access all the content and services available out there on the internet - in other words, the networks are making money because those services exist. Maybe it's the content/service providers that should be asking the networks for money - "if you don't pay us $X per month or visitor, we won't let your subscribers connect to our services".
Update (Feb 28): Deutsche Telecom wants to charge Google
The network providers must have calculated the cost of filling the expected bandwidth needs before deciding to go with a flat monthly fee, rather than a usage-based fee. Well, if their predictions were wrong, and users now need more bandwidth than expected, that was a risk they took.
The fact is that users are paying for broadband in order to access all the content and services available out there on the internet - in other words, the networks are making money because those services exist. Maybe it's the content/service providers that should be asking the networks for money - "if you don't pay us $X per month or visitor, we won't let your subscribers connect to our services".
Update (Feb 28): Deutsche Telecom wants to charge Google
