TV Technology - January 7, 2009 - (Page 25)

FEATURES the network. They also have a right to receive accurate and honest information about Internet service plans from vendors. But the president-elect said these goals will not prevent network providers from discriminating in ways that limit the freedom of expression on the Internet. “Because most Americans only have a choice of only one or two broadband carriers, carriers are tempted to impose a toll charge on content and services, discriminating against Web sites that are unwilling to pay for equal treatment,” Obama said. “This could create a twotier Internet in which Web sites with the best relationships with network providers can get the fastest access to consumers, while all competing Web sites remain in a slower lane. “Such a result would threaten innovation, the open tradition and architecture of the Internet, and competition among content and backbone providers. It would also threaten the equality of speech through which the Internet has begun to transform American political and cultural discourse,” Obama said. ENCOURAGING DIVERSITY President-elect Barack Obama NET SOUP Photo: Steve Jordan Frank Beacham Obama to Expand Internet Access I n a few days, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Though his plate will be full on many fronts including the economy, two wars and health care, the president-elect has promised to bring quick and major change to American communications technology. Two key Obama priorities are network neutrality on the Internet and a greater diversity of media ownership. They will be coupled with his major public works program, which will greatly expand broadband access for all Americans. Many of Obama’s ideas about technology go back to the campaign. His views on the subject have been clearly stated and are well known by his supporters. His planned expansion of broadband access, announced just before Christmas, enhances other Obama imperatives—for example, interconnecting hospitals and doc- tors’ offices for improved access to electronic medical records. A NEW DIRECTION “strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.” The Bush era FCC resisted large-scale government intervention in broadband and opposed net neutrality. To great controversy, it loosened media ownership restrictions. But Kevin Martin, the champion of Republican values, will soon be out as chairman of the FCC. A new Democratic era is about to begin. Expect major opposition to Obama’s goals from the telco and cable television operators, who now control the nation’s broadband infrastructure. The telcos paid billions of dollars for spectrum and will fight to defend their exclusive use of it. The cable operators want to manage their precious bandwidth their way. One of Obama’s long-held technology promises is that he will “ensure the full and free exchange of ideas through an open Internet and diverse media outlets.” The candidate’s Web site said he Obama said Internet users must be free to access content, to use applications, and to attach personal devices to The new administration supports the basic principle that network providers should not be allowed to charge fees to privilege the content or applications of INTERNET, PAGE 28 www.tvtechnology.com • TV Technology • January 7, 2009 25 http://www.hotronics.com http://www.tvtechnology.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of TV Technology - January 7, 2009

TV Technology - January 7, 2009 NFL Enters a New Dimension Mobile DTV Looms Large in 2009 Contents A ‘Flexible Framework’ Doing More With Less ‘X’tra-Streamlined Finish Line in Sight for BAS Transition Ahead of the Relocation Curve DTV Transition Survival Guide ENG and the Lines of Communication DTV Transition Survival Guide Who Do We Really Work For? Obama to Expand Internet Access The Wizard Takes a Holiday The Solid-State Disk Revival To Light the Ear... or Not Hulu Gets It Right—the First Time User Reports—Video Servers & Recording/Controllers Reference Guide Product Showcase Classifieds Marketplace TV Tech Business

TV Technology - January 7, 2009

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.