My takeaways from the Educause net neutrality panel

I attended the Educause conference panel today because they made a big deal about how they were going to launch a new white paper with a new compromise on net neutrality that would be "more reasonable."

• When I arrived and asked about the availablity of the new net neutrality white paper, I was disappointed when informed it was "delayed indefinitely."
• Seems like this white paper is in the same purgatory of indecision, and "keystone kops-ville",  that the relaunch of the online giant coalition is, the former ItsOurNet coalition which is reportedly now the "Open Net Coalition".
• Seems like the net neutrality movement is going through a whole lot of handwringing about what to do next.
• It kind of reminds me of when a barking dog finally catches the passing car. Now what to do?

I was also amused that Educause, this academic oriented forum, did not even attempt to present a balanced panel that represented both points of view on net neutrality.

• The panelists: John Windhausen, the author of probably the best pro net neutrality work I've seen, Rick Whit from Google, Chris Libertelli from eBay, Rob Freiden a Penn State professor and self-described recovering "bellhead", and Scott Deutchman from FCC Commissioner Copps' office.
• All five were ardent supporters of net neutrality echoing each other's brilliance and moral superiority.  
• Being raised as a professor's kid, I am well aware of how politically correct the university scene is and how they don't countenance dissent from the elites' accepted dogma.
• By the way, I was offered as a panelist, for this august panel, but was informed the panel was "full."
• Educause, which is involved in education couldn't have any true "educating" going on, heck people might begin to think for themselves and actually debate ideas! That would be contrary to learning!

Rick Whit of Google kicked off the panel.

• Interestingly he saw the year ahead for net neutrality as involving a series of "broadband-related initiatives."
• He also offered a new "tweak" to the non-discrimination lexicon, imploring people to call it "packet non-discrimination."
• What I am waiting for is Google's new "packet bill of rights." Every ones and zeros packet must be afforded the same constitutional protection of every one of our citizens.
• I can tell where this is going: "packets have feelings too." Packets have rights and should be treated equally, fairly and without discrimination.
• Maybe Google could have the FCC create "packet credits" so packets that were routed the long way around the Internet, could petition the FCC to be routed a shorter path next time they traversed the Internet -- with the goal that "no packet be left behind."
• Maybe Google and MoveOn.org could launch a new "SaveThePackets coalition!"
• Ah but I digress.

Where was I?

Rick Whit of Google also said the upcoming FCC 700 MHz spectrum auction "holds the promise of a third pipe" into the home.

• Thank you Mr Whit for going on the record that Google does not see it as a permanent telco/cable "duopoly" but that competition is at least possible conceptually.
• Now all we have to do is get Google to acknowledge the facts that there are ALREADY several existing wireless networks that serve as the "third pipe."
• If Google would only "google" "wireless broadband competitors" it would discover to its amazement that many "third pipes" ALREADY exist!
• Hint: Google: Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, ClearWire WiMax, Wifi hotspots, and muni WiFi networks.

When John Windhausen directly asked Google's Rick Whit if they would bid in the 700 MHz auction, he declared confidently that "Google has not ruled it in or ruled it out."

As for takeaways from Professor Frieden's remarks, my notes did not capture anything that I understood or that added materially to the discourse.

My friend Chris Libertelli continued his misguided campaign to treat today's competitive wireless industry exactly like the monopoly wireline market of forty years ago.

• Back to the future?

Scott Deutchman, predictably and admirably carried the torch for his boss FCC Commissioner Copps:

• decrying that the US is "falling behind" in broadband;
• diagnosing the problem as the US not having a national broadband policy, 
• claiming we need a better broadband deployment database or map; and
• advising everyone that we should listen to our international competitors for "lessons learned" on how they do broadband better than America.
• Come to think of it there must be a lot the French can tell us about how to run an economy and promote innovation.
• The last time I checked half of the French GDP was Government and that they have one of the worst unemployment rates of any industrial nation.
• But they have so much to teach us...how do they make those eclairs?  

In my next blog I will dismantle Google's Rick Whit's answer to my pointed question of him from the audience.