Business Week writes that the major Internet companies are worried that if broadband carriers have their way, they will be able to control which Web-based products and services consumers use,
either by charging consumers fees for using products offered by competitors, or by charging the competition for access to their subscribers. The article cites an example where one man tried to phone
his wife via the Voice over Internet Protocol service he downloaded, but couldn't get through because the phone company providing his DSL service decided it didn't want its customers using VoIP
services. Later, the ISP lost a legal battle and was promptly fined. But the point is that providing mere Internet service is no longer enough for phone and cable companies, which are now spending
money on new services like VoIP and Internet TV. Since they provide access to the Internet, they control the reins, and can easily block users from using competitors' services or any Web pages they
want to, for that matter. In fact, the article argues that Google, Yahoo!, eBay and company may one day need Washington to help them make sure the telecom and cable companies don't start
self-regulating the Web. However, if there's one thing these companies don't have, it's the lobbying muscle of old media in Washington.
Read the whole story at Business Week »
