Net neutrality does not "limit" providers

This article talks about Verizon's new claim that net neutrality "limits" the company, and the nothing but a scare tactic of claiming they won't be able to roll out any new services unless they get to erect toll gates.

One thing net neutrality does limit is the ability of one or two big companies from setting up walled gardens that keep consumers locked into a few choices (from, say, Verizon or Comcast). Net neutrality gives consumers and innovative startups a chance to play on a level playing field.

The telcos are way behind the cable companies in broadband customers, and they are desperately trying to get legislators to give them a break. They have cleverly adopted language that makes them sound like they are all for innovation and rolling out new services quickly, but you have to look beyond that to see what the end game is likely to be.

Right now, the picture could get very grim very quickly if legislators fall for all this "We just want to offer great new stuff at great prices." In the short term, we do get some modest competition. But in the long term, communities, their economic future, and local jobs are at stake if all we have is a duopoly with cartel-like pricing and a very limited set of choices for services. A duopoly is not marketplace competition. Vasteras, Sweden has marketplace competition, with 64 service providers selling all kinds of services to local residents and businesses. That's what every community in America ought to have--dozens of providers, not just two.

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