dks7
join:2004-05-31 | reply to DrModem
Re: Hey investors!
God knows I hate government, but the thought of private companies being able to just shut the internet off aggravates me. |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| said by dks7  :God knows I hate government, but the thought of private companies being able to just shut the internet off aggravates me. First of all, the Internet isn't a single network. It's many networks INTERnetworked together. No one company can just "shut it off". There are a few major players that could make life a lot slower as it may overload backup link for a period.
If AT&T "shut off" it's network, the people that would be most affected by it would be their paying customers. Any datacenter worth their salt is going to have redundant links to different networks. So if AT&T's network went dark, Level3, Cogent, etc would be utilized more so most places would still be reachable. AT&T failing to meet their SLA for thier lines would result in many unhappy customers, and by unhappy I mean lawsuit unhappy.
Plus, most of the companies that provide the major backbones of the internet are not private companies. They are publically traded companies. That means that they do answer to someone...their shareholders. Just switching off their network is going to piss off quite a few people and as an overall result, their bottom line is going to be impacted. Investors don't really like to lose money. |
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dks7
join:2004-05-31 | I meant their section of the internet, sorry for my lame comment. I know the internet is not owned by anyone, but teh idea that a company can put millions without service irks me. |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN | The same argument still applies though. If they just shutoff their section, it really will affect their PAYING customers. If it's a prolonged outage, they are just going to go elsewhere. It still would be financially a dumb move for any company. |
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DiscardedVet
Premium
join:2005-04-06
Sturgis, SD
| reply to cdru
said by cdru :It's many networks INTERnetworked together. Does that mean it's actually made of innertubes?
I had to, just HAD to !!
lol
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Bush is the Prez....Think Patriot Act II....This outspoken dissident....In jail I'll be soon. |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
1 edit | reply to cdru
said by cdru :If AT&T "shut off" it's network, the people that would be most affected by it would be their paying customers. Any datacenter worth their salt is going to have redundant links to different networks. So if AT&T's network went dark, Level3, Cogent, etc would be utilized more so most places would still be reachable. AT&T failing to meet their SLA for thier lines would result in many unhappy customers, and by unhappy I mean lawsuit unhappy. That is a beautiful theory assuming a rogue telco acting on its own, but a couple questions here:
1. What happens if AT&T in conjunction with Level3, Cogent, etc. shut things down? This is not an impossibility nor unlikely as they realize they can get what they want if they collude. See also Cali's rolling blackouts. In fact, that is an especially apt analogy.
2. What is the difference between the Deathstar or anyone else for that matter, hypothetically shutting off the juice and demanding more money vs the capping/throttling/blocking that is becoming SOP?
2a. What, realistically, do you believe will stop any of the above referenced from shutting down and demanding more money?
There is nothing in place at the moment to prevent such an occurrence. Government can't compel them to do anything.
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The Toll
Let's Go Flyers!
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CConverse
join:2006-01-31
Syracuse, NY
| reply to cdru
Y'know how when one company hikes their rates, they all do the same thing? Or starting to offer "unlimited"--notice how all the major mobile companies announced it practically within the same week? Don't think for a second that's coincidence. As soon as one sees another making a move, they all play copycat in order to partake in the perceived profits...  |
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