'Open' Internet just a pipe dream

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/12/21/5690191-open-internet-just-a-pipe-dream

The bad news for consumers is that in both cases, the service providers have power to "manage" their traffic as they see fit, and to ration it — that is, to charge for tiers of usage or amounts of data used.

**Opinion**

This is the beginning of the end for the internet as we know it in my opinion. My moderate side shows on this, because I agree with the Republicans on this issue. What is wrong with the internet now? "Nothing is broken that needs fixing." Sadly, this means that there won't be anymore flat-fee unlimited access. Instead, it will be metered to your use similar to the way that your electricity use is read and you are billed.

Another scary issue to note is: (It should be stated at this point that msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal, which is currently in negotiations to be acquired by Comcast, the nation's largest cable company. As you can guess, the assorted parents of this organization may be at odds over this matter, but this piece doesn't reflect any of their viewpoints, only my own.)