cross-posted from Sum of Change
If Verizon and Google were trying to show support for net neutrality, they sure dropped the ball today. On a conference call with media just a couple hours ago, Verizon CEO, Ivan Seidenberg began explaining how companies might want to use a different network to send information. He took offense when Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land termed it "alternative internet," but his further explanation did little to counter the naming. Here is Mr. Seidenberg's further discussion of the "alternative internet" after questioning from Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch:
For those of you that cannot watch or listen, here is the basic run-through:
Sullivan says there some confusions over these future networks that are not part of the internet. If all these networks are merging/converging into an IP based network, in most people's mind that is the internet."
Siedenberg brings up 3D and ask whether that goes over the internet. "Some other companies might want to send 3D over a specialized network it built for itself because the quality of service might be slightly different." (emphasis mine).
What he never addressed, is how that network is different from the internet. What many people are concerned about is that this type of language leaves the door extremely wide open.
Google CEO, Eric Schmidt stated bluntly that Google will not be using any new networks, they like the internet. Yet doubts will be raised by the participation in this "joint policy announcement." Why would they be lending their name to a policy announcement they do not agree upon?