Washington — Last week, Google and Verizon Communications Inc — (which supports the search giant’s new phone on its network) once again joined forces to submit a joint letter to the Federal Communications Commission on the “common ground” that describes the points on which they agree and support “minimal” Internet regulation and “reasonable” network management as regulators weigh open Internet rules.
As the FCC’s proposed net neutrality rules released last Thursday, and while there were no major surprises from companies like Comcast and groups like the Open Internet Coalition, Google and Verizon, in a filing submitted to the FCC, seemingly strange associates, acted unitedly for the second time since posting a joint blog in October.
“While we do not agree on every topic, we do agree as a matter of policy that this framework of minimal government participation should continue going forward,” Google and Verizon wrote in a joint comment on the FCC’s Net neutrality proposal.
“Google and Verizon would support the creation of a procedural framework that efficiently and effectively provides guidance to all stakeholders and to policymakers concerning practices on the Internet, including the consistency of practices with the values set out above,” the two companies said in their filing. “We believe that we need a policy that will guarantee openness and preserve the essential character of the Internet as a global, interconnected network of networks and users that is thriving based on a common set of core values.”
Both also said that they agree that the Internet is a unique network that will flourish with a common set of dominating values and that self-governance has helped the Web grow — with government intervention to stop bad actors.
“It is all-important that the Internet remains an free and open platform, where people can access the lawful content, services and applications of their choice,” the companies wrote in the nine-page letter.
That is a bit of an understatement, judging from the voluminous filings each company made with the agency. (Google = 98 pages; Verizon = 139 pages).
Sadly, the lawyers who have been racking up considerable billable hours while crafting missives to the FCC could not find common ground on everything. They chalk-out a variety of things they agree on, such as “encouraging investment and innovation of broadband network” and “providing users with information.”
“We continue to disagree on some of these matters,” the companies acknowledged.
“We believe the FCC’s planned rules on broadband network openness put users first, and represent a balanced, flexible, and minimally intrusive approach to safeguarding the Internet’s openness,” Google wrote.
“Instead of attempting to solve a non-existent problem or locking in place particular approaches to Internet services or network management, the Commission should focus on continuing the Internet’s success,” Verizon said.
Net neutrality is the theory that everyone should have equal access to the Web. In October, the FCC formally issued the open Internet proposal that has pit content providers such as Google and eBay Inc against Verizon, AT&T Inc and Comcast Corp.
In general, most people agree that the Internet should remain unrestricted, but detractors believe that self-regulation has done just fine and the FCC should not intervene.
Wireless carriers, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel Corp and Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile said they oppose applying net neutrality rules to their networks because new rules could stifle innovation.
In its submission, Comcast said current rules “have struck the right balance” and urged the FCC not to “mess with success.”
“In working on its National Broadband Plan, the FCC has found that continued massive private investment is required if our nation is to be a broadband leader,” Joe Waz, senior vice president of external affairs and public policy counsel for Comcast, wrote in a blog post. “If the FCC adopts new rules that respond to theoretical consumer harms, that could result in the loss of real benefits to the nation — more investment, more jobs, and a faster, safer and ubiquitous broadband Internet.”
This is not the first time Verizon and Google have cooperated on such matters. The two also issued a joint blog post in October that acknowledged their differences but attempted to find common ground. The two companies also filed comments separately, which clearly highlight their differences.