Yesterday I posted my opinion on where the Comcast decision would take consumers on the Internet – based on my past experience,  watching the FCC’s decisions over the last year,  and knowing (thanks to past experience) that the “stars were aligning” for the Big Telecoms to gain a monopolistic edge over the consumer’s use of the Internet.  Ultimately, this would reverse the “affordability” of its use at a time when Americans can least likely afford the additional costs.

Today, the Washington Post adds to my concerns of yesterday about how the ruling might affect the Internet: http://bit.ly/ComcastRulingSpeculation and consumers in the near term.  One thing I disagree with in this article is their correction remark where they say that ISPs cannot choose to throttle or block based on “type” of service.  To a degree that is correct, but to a larger degree what the ISP is able to do is block ports that types of traffic specifically use. For instance, VoIP uses specific ports to transmit it’s traffic.  If those ports are blocked and filtered, it is true that an ISP could exclude Skype, Vonage and other VoIP provider’s service, while at the same time, permitting the ISP’s choice of providers (who are paying their way) or simply allow only their own offering.

My post on Facebook yesterday was a warning, a ‘shot over the bow’ from a former “last mile provider”, or “Local LEC” as they called us small competitive ISPs who resold major carrier lines using our own routers and created unique special services.  Those days were great – we were the R&D for the ‘big boys’ in the ISP world.  If we succeeded, they copied.  Eventally they shut us out by lobbying the FCC hard and long to overturn the original ruling that allowed us to co-op their lines at wholesale rates.  This Comcast lawsuit, and the Appeals Court ruling, are just another “nail in the coffin” for that kind of growth and ingenuity.  It also does not bode well for the Consumer who will soon find themselves being nickled and dimed for eveything they want to do online…or worse simply being told “sorry, we don’t support that”.

This is not a “property rights” ruling, it’s a ruling that creates a future monopoly of the Internet by large ISPs, (think MaBell and the phone industry before it was broken up and prices were regulated), as they slowly and almost silently slink through the night, negating any gains that the consumer achieved in the “early days” of the Internet prior to 2006.  I sincerely hope that the FCC works fast to try to stem this tide.

Google to launch turbo-speed Internet trials!

This just in…The Washington Post has a story about Google testing FTTH (fiber to the home/biz).

Google may just be the competition needed to reign in the ‘telecom’ broadband carrier’s pricing – that seems to keep increasing, while the telecoms seek to limit both the amount of bandwidth per dollar, as well as what Internet users can do with their bandwidth.

Don’t think it’s all about the philanthropy though~ think harder….first they launch a cell phone with Android….next possible High Speed GIGABIT Bandwidth not available in the U.S. to date (2oG-50G).  It’s great for us as end users – and probably will be economical…but hey, we are already addicted to their search, their free personal and business tools, their PPC and other services…why not capture more of the Internet Marketplace at the “user” level which will then build an even bigger market AND clearer picture for analytics and advertising.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.  I would think, while this is definitely needed, it will border on anti-trust (monopoly) laws.  I also wonder if it will be like their foray into Wi-Fi – I guess time will tell as this all develops.

Nonetheless, it is still VERY interesting and VERY exciting… at the moment.  What do YOU think??

Panera Bread is almost-famous for their Free Wi-Fi (especially after they decided to actually announce it on their doors so the pubkic knew). Unfortunately, they are now famous for inviting “Big Brother” to help them by eating up your tiny url links.

It seems Panera is concerned that URL shorteners such as Bit.ly (and maybe soon even Tiny URL) could cause harm by allowing clicks to malicious websites you (and Panera) cannot verify. This, despite Bit.ly offering up warning messages on website they cannot verify to be safe.

Why do you care? Do you use Twitter? Almost everyone uses a URL shortener these days – especially on twitter because, well, you only have 140 characters!

Panera’s official Twitter handle responded that the coffee shops have “blocked b/c link is hidden & can’t determine content. Want to keep a friendly-family environment for all.” (Source: TechCrunch)

Ok, they have that right, after all it IS their network.
Time to switch to 3G and eat anywhere I want, or (given the current economy) maybe head back to Starbucks…or McDonalds. After all, I can get $1 burger and use the money I save on my new BOINGO subscription!

[FCC Disclosure: BOINGO is a paid link of mine for the Starving Student Fund - you get $9.95 all you can eat Wi-Fi in 100,000 locations, and I get some coin...a real win/win-win!\]

FREE WI-FI FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Google, in partnership with BOINGO is giving away FREE Wi-Fi at 46 U.S. Airports starting Monday, 11/16/09.  It also includes Free  In-flight Wi-Fi on all Virgin America Flights!  The freebies will last until Jan. 15th, 2010.

Google says it’s giving away the Wi-Fi free of charge on BOINGO networks in the hope that people will click over to Google and see all the other cool free stuff they offer and try it out.

Pretty nice treat – especially considering the potential for flight delays between weather, overbooking of flights and just big crowds.

Happy Holidays Google, and you too, BOINGO for a creative and cool marketing idea that is appreciated! It’s really cool to be a Network Partner with a cool company like BOINGO!

The list and more info can be found at www.freeholidaywifi.com:

Google provides FREE Wi-Fi at these U.S. Airports from 11/16/09 to 1/15/10.

[FCC Disclosure: I am a Network Partner with BOINGO, and the link that I have created above funds my "Starving Student Fund"]