April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing Network Neutrality Prof. Henning Schulzrinne Dept. of Computer Science Columbia University

April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing How to be non-neutral Block web sites (“IP addresses”) Block ports = specific applications Underprovision general Internet access –artificially delay or drop certain packets Reserving bandwidth on fiber for carrier

April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing Not just web access New applications: video access, VoIP, video conferencing,... –ensure competition in services much more likely than shutting off a PhoneCompanySucks web site or charging Google otherwise, only telco/CATV provider can provide HDTV video-on- demand or streaming video –Internet technology allows separation of bit carriage and services May need quality of service guarantees Example: Madison River (2005) –but, so far, few in the US

April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing The role of competition Assumption of competition and information Not generally true: –monopoly or, at best, duopoly –high switch-over costs (equipment costs, minimum contract durations, addresses,...) –no service information for consumers ports blocked? bandwidth caps? actual speeds (“up to X Mb/s” is not useful)

April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing Guidelines for content neutrality Nothing new: old common carrier notion Content neutrality –no differentiation by destination or traffic type (except attacks or spam) –bandwidth-based traffic shaping and metering, if necessary Consumer information to allow informed choice Long term: separation of infrastructure and service –last-mile fiber, conduits and air waves are natural monopolies Long term: competition through public infrastructure

April 30, 2007 NYC network neutrality hearing Quality of service and network neutrality Argument: QoS requires violating network neutrality Not necessarily: –can provide content neutral mechanisms –e.g., monthly quota for prioritized traffic –charge extra for high priority traffic, regardless of source or destination