I keep considering the concept of a stupid network versus an intelligent one. Maybe I can have another educated look. The analogy (not great) likening an operating IP network to dumb plumbing pipes doesn’t really hold water – if you’ll excuse the pun.
Internet access cannot be stupid any more than our water supply or power supply can be stupid. Think back to the blackout of a few summers ago and you understand the importance for network management of all utilities.
In its 
final comments, CAIP wrote:
Bell’s modifications of GAS service clearly breach the section 36 prohibition on a carrier “controlling the content” or “influencing the meaning or purpose of telecommunications carrier by it for the public” absent Commission approval of same. At the most basic level, Bell violates the common carrier principle by inspecting and throttling back traffic that it is supposed to transmit from point A to point B at defined speeds in a completely “opaque” fashion.
I don’t believe that there is any violation. The operative phrase that is in CAIP’s own words: “absent Commission approval of same.” The CRTC has correctly approved Bell’s Terms of Service (and CAIP’s members signed contracts accepting these terms) which provide for taking steps to manage the integrity of the Bell network.
CAIP tries to extend a postal metaphor as well, which the press picked-up on:
postal service customers have the freedom to decide for themselves the urgency of their packages, and to pay the postal service a fee based on how quickly they want their packages delivered.
Except that CAIP’s members nor customers aren’t paying differential pricing based on the packages (applications) they are using. They want “before 10 am” next-day delivery of all their mail, despite paying a single price for all the mail they can stuff into the mailbox at the corner – a mailbox they share with the whole neighbourhood.
If CAIP members want a dedicated physical channel to their customers, then they can pay for that. But it is more expensive. If they want to enjoy the discounted price associated with logical channels, then the ISPs have to understand that, just like with postal services, you don’t get overnight delivery of all packages all the time when you pay for parcel post.
I think that Canadians want our ISPs to manage their networks. Specifically, we want our ISPs to take action on certain types of content. For example, we expect all network operators to act to defend themselves and their customers from denial of service attacks. We want them to implement spam guards. We want them (some argue that we legally compel them) to block known child abuse images, content and website.
These are three examples that clearly contradict the ‘dumb plumbing’ view of the internet.
We want our water cleaned up; we want fluoride. We want the water company to manage supply. During certain periods, we see limits on certain applications like watering our lawns, washing our cars. The ban on watering is application specific, but it is non-discriminatory; it applies to all. It recognizes the difference between real time requirements for water (drinking, flushing, hygiene, etc.) and more discretionary uses. Sound familiar?
The dumb pipe plumbing metaphor doesn’t work, because you have to consider that consumers don’t want their water delivered without filtering as well. Sure, we could all be responsible for treating the water at our premises, but that isn’t how the system works.
It is time to move on to a new metaphor. If you want to provide dumb pipes, then you should be prepared to build your own water company.
Technorati Tags:
CAIP, net neutrality