Dish Networks Fights for Net Neutrality

 

Satellite provider Dish Networks escalates its efforts for Net Neutrality. Last week the company issued a press release (here) supporting the FCC recent move - "DISH Network applauds the Commission's decision to release a Notice of Inquiry on the 'Third Way' legal approach .. A sound legal framework is absolutely necessary to preserve a free and open Internet and encourage innovation and investment" said Charlie Ergen, Chairman, President and CEO of DISH Network"

Now, Dish is going after the Comcast-NBCU merger. The NewTeeVee site quotes Dish's FCC filling, saying that: "A combined Comcast-NBCU would have the incentive and ability to take anticompetitive action against Dish Network’s online video products by giving Comcast unique visibility into Hulu; combining Comcast’s broadband gatekeeper position and NBCU’s key role in video-on-demand; blending Comcast’s broadband traffic management power and NBCU’s online video content; joining Comcast’s and NBCU’s ability to interfere with EchoStar’s “Sling” place-shifting technology; and leveraging the combined companies’ ability to offer a multi-platform advertising product."

See "Dish: Comcast-NBCU Combo Poses ‘Grave Threats’ to Online Video" - here.

Once again, we see the concerns of how broadband traffic management maybe going from a "reasonable network management tool" to a marketing/anti-competition system.

The current Net Neutrality guidelines forbid the discrimination applications, but also require transparency of service. This may be interpreted as the ability to offer a number of service plans that prioritize certain applications as long as it duly disclosed to the subscribers. . There is nothing forbidding carriers from charging (subscriber or content providers) for improved QoS.

Related posts:

•  "NBC's Rick Cotton on DPI - Or is it Comcast?" - here
• "AT&T Escalates Net Neutrality Political Fight" - here