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Andrew Seybold asks How Much Data Is Too Much Data?, and talks about the need for wireless providers to ration connectivity.
As I mentioned in a recent commentary, "Musings From Around The Industry" , there is already a disconnect between content suppliers and wireless network operators' ability to deliver content in streaming formats or huge files. The Wall Street Journal article [on May 11] discusses this disconnect from the other side, the customers' point of view. The assumption seems to be that wireless delivery of Web content should be just like DSL and cable delivery -- unlimited and unfettered by such things as capacity constraints.
The article did not address the fact that even DSL and cable providers are growing concerned about the amount of data being used by a few customers. There have been many stories about cable and DSL customers being shut off because they were running server farms from their homes and/or downloading video almost 24/7. And:
To me, the idea of broadband anywhere means being able to access what I want and need no matter where I am -- within reason. If I really need to download a 10-MB data file in the middle of the day instead of waiting until I am at a faster wired or Wi-Fi connection, I don't have a problem with paying for that download. The piece has has more good stuff -- read it all.
And over to you, net neutrality buffs: Is every wireless company required to provide enough bandwidth so that the user who wants to download a movie clip and the one who wants to run a spam server can be given the same QoS? Are they to be forbidden to favor one over the other, or charge according to demand on the system? That's a pretty good way to stop innovation in content delivery services.
posted by James DeLong @ 8:21 AM | Internet: P2P, Search Engines...
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