Wanted to weigh in on this Google-Verizon proposal. People accusing Google of selling out don't understand the relationship between net neutrality and Google's business model. The only ones who benefit from throttling net speeds and charging companies to increase that speed are bandwidth providers like Verizon. Content providers, like Google, benefit in NO WAY from this. In fact, pure content providers only lose from a tiered internet because they would have to pay for speed they currently receive for free. Furthermore, there are enough content providers with big pockets in existence to drive up the cost of bandwidth to levels which would severely diminish all profits in the industry.
While the proposed legislation/guidelines may not be optimal it seems clear that Google is in a tight spot. If they do nothing then 5 years down the road net neutrality may not exist at all. It is this fear that is driving Google to try to safeguard the internet as it exists while leaving open the debate over wireless broadband.
If Google's recent confrontation with China over censorship has taught us anything its that Google is willing to engage and compromise while working toward openness.
