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BellSouth: Google Should Help Pay Katrina Line Repairs?
Spokesman justifies network neutrality position
by Karl Bode Friday 06-Jan-2006 tags: competition · business · net-neutrality
“During the hurricanes, Google didn’t pay to have the DSL restored,” says BellSouth spokesman Jeff Battcher in a Wall Street Journal article (reg required) on the bells' push to charge websites and IP services for priority access. “We’re paying all that money,” the spokesman states. Tech-journalist Om Malik retorts: "I don’t know; if you charge people about $75 a month, or about $825 a year for DSL and phone service, it is your job to fix the line. Did Google come and take my money as monthly service fee? Even HMOs don’t make statements like these!"

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aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA

Susan Powter

Stop the insanity, ftw...

King P
Don't blame me. I voted for Ron Paul
Premium
join:2004-11-17
Franklin, TN
Reviews:
·Comcast
·Vonage

Another brilliant quote...

from a BellSouth mouthpiece. These guys are starting to make Steve Ballmer and George W. look good...

*begin rant*

Here's a hint BellSouth, if you don't like the fact that you are an on-ramp to the information superhighway, then stop selling the service. Google shouldn't pay a dime to get your Networks back up, but if you insist on having them pay then you damn well better give them access to your CO's and RT's in your coverage area so they can roll out their WiFi project even faster.

*end rant*
--
Forget 'em, Support the Indies.»www.ind-music.com

d_man60112

join:2004-06-09
Cortland, IL

Re: Another brilliant quote...

He's upset because he sold his shares of Google at $200
Techie714

join:2005-08-02
Anaheim, CA

Re: Another brilliant quote...

said by d_man60112:

He's upset because he sold his shares of Google at $200
LOL not me I still have my Google shares & I purchased at 200.00
bignate

join:2005-12-05
Austin, TX

1 edit

morons

i work for AT&T and i think this is retarded. i cannot beleive that they dont understand that google(and every other website) pays whoever their provider is for their bandwidth and the customers that use their services each pay for their own bandwidth.

the only time google will ever have data on any of the telco networks is if one of their customers are going to the site and using it. so all this will end up doing is hurting their own customers by telling them "sorry, you will get a slower connection to google because they chose not to pay us."

i have to beleive that they understand all this and are just trying to play on those who dont know and get more money.

mdlthomas

join:2000-04-24
Clarksville, TN

Re: morons

I wouldn't be so quick to cast stones Mr. at&t...it was YOUR NEW CEO, ED WHITICARE that started this mess!

$10 bucks says you don't have the BALLS to send him an email telling him he is moronic.

peter_m
Premium
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC

1 edit
Without service providers like Google and other content providers... what is left?? Why will people pay money to be connected without having something to connect to???

These guys are so arrogant, they want us to believe they DON'T depend on google's contribution to make the net more desirable.
kdandaoc

join:2003-10-13
608052427

Re: Another brilliant quote...

Information superhighway....soon to be littered with toll booths and DMVs saying who can be on and who can't be!
This was inevitable, and if these clowns don't do it, another group will. This is what happens when people see another potential source of revenue. Personally, I would only hope to see this person get confirmed as a Darwin Award recipient!

BellsRDingy

@198.65.x.x
At least a few bloggers and writers have proposed that perhaps the baby Bells should be the ones paying Google, since Google is a significant part of what makes the Internet useful to their DSL subscribers!

VoIP carriage fees? What's a "deal" to some could be "shakedown" to others (Russell Shaw - IP Telephony, VoIP, Broadband)
Russell Shaw asks, Deal or Shakedown? (Michigan Telephone, VoIP and Broadband blog)
Editorial: Content Providers Should Block the RBOCs (ISP-Planet)
bchoate8

join:2004-02-17
Logan, UT

Re: Susan Powter

This guy has got to be completely retarded. OMG... I'm really just speachless... What do you say when someone says something so devoid of logic or reality?

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

Re: Susan Powter

said by bchoate8:

What do you say when someone says something so devoid of logic or reality?
Well, if you're a congress-critter who's pockets are lined with RBOC money, you say "you know, that makes perfect sense to me!"

-tom
--
"Some people have morals, standards and ideals about quality, but I'm an American: I couldn't care less." --Tony Pierce (paraphrased)

packetscan
Premium
join:2004-10-19
Bridgeport, CT

Re: Susan Powter

Time to Clean the streets!

»www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a···327/1002

»www.latimes.com/news/nationworld···e-nation

»www.nytimes.com/2006/01/06/polit···ong.html

»news.google.com/news?q=congress+···oi=newsr

I hope they all FRY in HELL!
--
This is the Curse of Being a college graduate.
priller

join:2000-10-20
Gainesville, VA
The stuff coming out of BellSouth's mouth is starting to make Pat Robertson look like a sane person!

Topmounter
Sent By Grocery Clerks

join:2001-02-20
Evergreen, CO

Re: Susan Powter

Let me channel Pat Robertson for a moment...

mmmmmmm...

~Katrina was God punishing BellSouth for allowing people to access pr0n over their DSL connections~.... God doesn't see any need to punish Google, yet, but that DRM thing got his attention~

How was that?
--
"If PCs are hard, then Macs are flaccid" -bb
cool_coda

join:2004-09-08
Brownsburg, IN

Re: Susan Powter

hahahaha....

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL
said by Topmounter:

Let me channel Pat Robertson for a moment...

mmmmmmm...

~Katrina was God punishing BellSouth for allowing people to access pr0n over their DSL connections~.... God doesn't see any need to punish Google, yet, but that DRM thing got his attention~

How was that?
It's only a matter of time for God to get wise to google images.;):p
--
Computer keyboards are very sensitive. You do not need to apply a lot of pressure. Banging the keys only serves to wear out your keyboard and you.
jtorre69

join:2005-12-26
Hollywood, FL
now thats funny!!!!!!!!!!
bigjoesmith

join:2000-11-21
Peoria, IL

1 edit
Let Jeff Battcher, jeff.battcher@bellsouth.com, know how you feel on this issue.

Hangmn
Don't Fight It...It's Inevitable
Premium
join:2000-04-08
Philadelphia, PA

Re: Network Neutrality

said by bigjoesmith:

Let Jeff Battcher, jeff.battcher@bellsouth.com, know how you feel on this issue.
Email sent to this moron:
Jeff,
Are you a complete moron?
Trying to charge content providers for “priority access” to the RBOCs pipes is the ultimate in greed and stupidity.
We, the consumers foot the bill in access fees. WE PAY TO GET TO CONTENT RICH SITES that’s why we have BROADBAND….
My god you people are already a government subsidized monopoly, what else do you need blood?

David DiPietro
CONSUMER
P.S. No wonder companies like CavTEL , Vonage et al are starting to bite at your market share….WAKE UP
--
»davescustompc.com

Kilroy
Premium,MVM
join:2002-11-21
Ann Arbor, MI
I just want some of what Jeff Battcher is taking. If he can manage to get the web sites to foot the bill for the Internet was we can all get free broadband, that's one thing, but you can bet your butt that they still want you to pay for your DSL.
--
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -- Robert Heinlein, Time Enough For Love
koveman

join:2002-01-23
Phoenix, AZ
These guys are so far out there they'll probably start throttling bandwith to and from external speed tests.

Wouldn't that be smart?
bob000001

join:2004-02-20
Bellingham, WA

Why just Google?

People access millions of other websites over Bellsouth networks. Why aren't they chargeing them?

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX

Re: Why just Google?

OK dsl reports cough up a million you owe me! lol that will be next

Varlik
Without Honor You Will Never Be Free
Premium
join:2002-01-06
Anderson, SC

1 edit

Re: Why just Google?

said by MysticGogeta:

OK dsl reports cough up a million you owe me! lol that will be next
Don't give them ideas. I'm sure the suites would love to shut down sites like DSLReports that offer users opinions and feedback. Information freely shared by customers about concerns, desires (Faster Speeds for example) and service issues.

Such things make the big suites nervous. What!!!! You dare allow posting of negative reviews by our customers? Will fix you, yes we will. See how you like this. (Makes appropriate adjustments.)
--
"Sir SIR! We don't use DHCP servers. We only use IBM & Microsoft servers." From there my call to tech support went steadily downhill.

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX

Re: Why just Google?

My bad sorry dsl reports

Varlik
Without Honor You Will Never Be Free
Premium
join:2002-01-06
Anderson, SC

2 edits
said by bob000001:

People access millions of other websites over Bellsouth networks. Why aren't they chargeing them?
Because Google is a Big target. Telcos like BellSouth will go after Big Targets like Google First. If they can throw enough poop and make it stick and then get us to swallow this bunk the other sites will quickly follow. Just think a HSI bill full of toll charges. Yippee! Cantcha hear your wallet screaming?
--
"Sir SIR! We don't use DHCP servers. We only use IBM & Microsoft servers." From there my call to tech support went steadily downhill.

JamesPC

join:2005-10-12
Orange, CA

Re: Why just Google?

Google is the most requested web site in the world, so it only makes sense to target the biggest guys on the block.

Dan
Trailer Park Supervisor
Premium
join:2002-12-17
Eh?

Re: Why just Google?

And for it's number one spot, google is also calling mainly text. Very little bandwidth from google to me is used so... yea.
--
My name is Dan.

You want more.
I get it.


M A R S
Premium
join:2001-06-15
Long Island
Reviews:
·Optimum Online
Why must American companies and American government fuck with other American companies that are making true on the American dream. With this logic Wal-Mart should be paying for the war in Iraq.

You know what, i really think they should.
--
My Blog
rradina

join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

Re: Why just Google?

It's not just companies. Any person or company that is successful will always face the wrath of the have nots. The have nots wrath is to litigate and slander any form of success.
bmn
? ? ?
Premium,ExMod 2003-06
join:2001-03-15
hiatus

Re: Why just Google?

said by rradina:

It's not just companies. Any person or company that is successful will always face the wrath of the have nots. The have nots wrath is to litigate and slander any form of success.
And the haves tend to use their resources to prevent the have-nots new-entry into the ranks of the haves... Its why big business has been known to gobble up smaller businesses. or pull the kind of stuff that Bellsouth and SBT/ATT are pulling with this charging Google mumbo jumbo.

Seriously, from FCC Chairman Kennard back in 2000:

said by »www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Kennard/200···019.html :

You see, all too often companies work to change the regulations, instead of working to change the market.

I call this behavior "regulatory capitalism."

Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists and politicians, instead of plant, people and customer service.

It's always easier to prowl the halls of Congress than compete in the rough and tumble of the marketplace.

Regulatory capitalists would rather litigate than innovate

--
Rand's Objectivism... Everything BUT objective.
rradina

join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

Re: Why just Google?

Couldn't agree more with the FCC chairman's statement. I also think it's hogwash the bells are trying to charge Google but my opinion doesn't change the fact that regardless of honest or crooked, success is always challenged by the have nots -- and sometimes the have nots are big businesses trying to protect themselves.

That said, right or wrong it is the responsibility of any publicly held company to protect the assets of shareholders -- even if such protections are at odds with the good of the public or environment.

XBL2009
------

join:2001-01-03
Chicago, IL
Reviews:
·EarthLink
·AT&T Midwest
said by M A R S:

Why must American companies and American government fuck with other American companies that are making true on the American dream. With this logic Wal-Mart should be paying for the war in Iraq.

You know what, i really think they should.
They might run it better then the Feds can but those blue jackets won't stop bullets and shrapnel. No worries though they will outsource the fighting to China.

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX

1 edit

Re: Why just Google?

LOL
But i dont know useing children in war might be bad and plus they might pay the male children more that might cause a uproar
Skippy25

join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO

Re: Why just Google?

And they may not kill minorities equally causing an uproar with the NCAAP.
cahiatt
Premium
join:2001-03-21
Smyrna, GA

Bellsouth. Listening, Answering....

Hey Bellsouth. You're stupid...

See 9 replies to this post

not2cr8iv

join:2000-08-20
Potomac, MD

How about telemarketers and sales via phone?

Why stop with Google? Banks, stock brokers and telemarketers make billions every year from sales and transactions made over the phone. Why shouldn't all those freeloaders have to pay if those sales are made over the Bells phone lines?:D

See 11 replies to this post

Matt
All noise, no signal.
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12

Wow

I just don't get it.

What in the hell are they so scared of? The gaping wound that has become their POTS business and they are scrambling to replace that cash cow?
salan

join:2004-10-04
Canada

ISPs...

ISPs never seem to cease amazing me

TelecomJunky2
Premium
join:2005-12-12
Kansas City, MO

Re: ISPs...

ISPs? Bell is no ISP, please do not lump the thousands of legitimate, open access supporting ISPs in with the phone and cable monopolies. They are NOT ISPs!

JamesPC

join:2005-10-12
Orange, CA

Re: ISPs...

They are ISP's, the only difference between the Bells and earthlink is that the bells own every part of there network where most little isp have to lease the right to use Bells or Cable companies transmission lines.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
kudos:1
Reviews:
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T Southeast

i seen everything....

Its getting to the point where the internet access could be free. Why? Plain and simple sure charge google or whoever for the line, and where the ones stuck with the F****** ads and pop ups. Here is all the BW problems advertisement.

I dont know, but its starting to look like the bells are getting hard up for money. I dont see, i havnt heard the cable companies bitching and moaning.( that i have read)

Bellsouth, i think your going to be AT%T again :P Go ahead and sell yourself to them and save us the grief on here.

See 8 replies to this post

manfmmd
Premium
join:2003-01-14
Earth, TX
Reviews:
·AT&T Southwest
·CMA Access

2 edits

.....

Someone needs to buy 1 share of BS stock, go to their Annual Stockholders meeting and ask the BOD why the company has this view. He or she should also ask for the immediate resignation of the CEO and COO for allowing statements like these to go out.

It's like asking Michelin and GM to pay for potholes.

BillRoland
Premium
join:2001-01-21
Ocala, FL
kudos:2

Why is this surprising?

This is just another classic sign that phone companies "don't get it," nor will they ever "get it." How in the world is Google responsible for restoring BellSouth DSL lines?

This is just a tried and true phone company tactic: if you can't compete, just try to slow everybody else down so you don't look bad.
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."

reub2000
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Evanston, IL

Aren't your customers paying for the pipe?

I was under the impression that bellsouth charges it's customer a month fee to lease a pipe to access anything. Has something changed?

Jason Levine
Premium
join:2001-07-13
USA

Re: Aren't your customers paying for the pipe?

Nope. Nothing's changed. Well, except for the fact that the bells are realizing that there's another end of the pipe and they seem to think that they're not getting paid for it.

What they either fail to realize or (more likely) know but are trying to ignore, is that Google has already paid for their end of the pipe (via some provider whose name I don't know, but I would bet it's not BellSouth). If BellSouth has a beef with the traffic Google is generating, they could possibly take it up with Google's provider, but Google itself should be kept out of it.

Of course, Google's provider isn't the one currently sitting at over $450 a share.
--
-Jason Levine
My Gallery | Jason's Toolbox | PCQandA.com | URateit.com

bamabrad

@66.193.x.x

google paying telco?

How much does NBC,CBS,ABC,etc. pay the carriers to carry their signal? Without the content providers there is no need for pipes!!!!

weee

@157.182.x.x

They have it backwards...

BellSouth should pay Google for loss of pay-by-click advertisement revenue due to their lines not surviving the hurricane! After all, it is BellSouth's fault that their lines weren't tough enough to survive, which leads to revenue loss for Google.. right?

Yeah.. this idea is about as stupid as the Bell's.

Go get 'em Google.
Python7

join:2005-12-03
Vidalia, GA

Bellsouth has gone off the deep end!

It has finally gotten to the point were they can't extort any more money out of the customer so they are going for the other end of the line. This is the most retarded thing i have heard in a long time. Is Google sending information over Bellsouth lines directly?! No...they are not....Bellsouth customers and REQUESTING information from Google. Google uploads through there pipe....goes into the information superhighway....bellsouth customer downloads through bellsouth pipe. What, are we supposed to disrupt to time space continuem for Bellsouth to make the internet work how they want to?!?! /rant

Derch
Premium
join:2004-10-16
Cross Plains, WI

Re: Bellsouth has gone off the deep end!

No technology patients are the dumbest thing, like how Amazon wanted to patient "online ads". But BellSouth's antics are way up there.

Derch
Premium
join:2004-10-16
Cross Plains, WI
Reviews:
·Charter

What?

What on earth is BellSouth doing? First off, they are spending millions on denying Layfette their own local fiber ring. Now they want to charge Google for Katrina? It's called insurance you idiots!!! If not from an insurance company, at least plan for problems like this. Hell, cancel some of the negative advertising your displaying in Layfette and us it towards infrastructure repair.

Re: What?

Wow, BellSouth went from outrageous to down right infuriating. Saying Google should pay for restoring DSL service after Katrina just disgusts me. They're just trying to use their own financial loss in the face of a horrible tragedy into a way to exhort money from companies who have nothing to do with the matter. I guess shame isn't in their vocabulary.

Hmmm, maybe Time Warner should start charging MTV to repair my cable when there is an outage? Maybe the Bells should realize they're a utility provider and google is not.

vpoko
Premium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

It works both ways

Without sites like google, the networks wouldn't have content to attract subscribers. Google should be charging them!

MDsonet

@verizon.net

BellSouth's douple-dip

BellSouth's position is the equivalent of them wanting to not only charge you for your phone line, but also take money from your mother because you use your BellSouth phoneline to call her too often.
DrumAt5280

join:2002-06-25
Louisville, CO

Wow!

What planet is this guy on?
Damon85
Premium
join:2004-12-25
Louisville, KY

Re: Wow!

America. "You're making more money than I am... how dare you, I need to get some of that scratch..."

rudnicke
Premium
join:2004-10-23
Rantoul, IL
kudos:1

This makes no sense...

Jeff Battcher must have his head up his arse. Doesn't Google already pay some teclo for their connection to the internet?
dentman42
Premium
join:2001-10-02
Columbus, OH

Re: This makes no sense...

said by rudnicke:

Jeff Battcher must have his head up his arse. Doesn't Google already pay some teclo for their connection to the internet?
He had parents, right? Guess that makes him a son of a Battcher...
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD

1 edit

The sad thing...

The sad thing about all of this is that the average broadband/computer/technology user is completely clueless as to what is going on. During the Sony DRM fiasco I would explain to my friends and family what Sony had done, why it was wrong, etc. The problem is, to them, it means nothing; in no way has their daily life been affected by what Sony did, so they really don't care.

The same thing is going to happen with the average broadband user. They won't understand the principles behind this debate... and most likely will see little, if any, impact to their daily life and subsequently won't care. In the end, this is why BellSouth can get away with such ridiculous statements.

Personally... I would like to see all-out knockdown fest between companies; those who want to charge (Bellsouth, Verizon, etc) and those who would be charged (Microsoft, Google, etc). IMHO, Google, Microsoft, etc have the upperhand. People are going to continue to visit the websites they have always have. If the manner in which they access those sites changes (i.e. much slower)... the customer is going to call their provider... not the website. Thus, it is BellSouth, Verizon, etc that will have to deal directly with angry customers and the customer won't give a damn about who's fault it is.

If I were in charge of Google... I would start 'rolling blackouts' of service to sections of the IP addresses of BellSouth, Verizon, etc. For an hour here... and hour there, parts of BellSouth's customer base would not be able to access Google services.

Perhaps I am just evil... who knows.

maartena
Elmo
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
kudos:1
Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
·DIRECTV

Re: The sad thing...

said by phantom6294:

If I were in charge of Google... I would start 'rolling blackouts' of service to sections of the IP addresses of BellSouth, Verizon, etc. For an hour here... and hour there, parts of BellSouth's customer base would not be able to access Google services.
As a matter of fact, there is no law that prohibits Google from blocking certain IP ranges altogether. Just start blocking Bellsouth for a month, en notify the local cable companies ahead of time to start an advertising campaign with "we CAN access Google".

Google may lose a few advertisements here and there, but in the end I do not believe that ANY website on the internet believes Bellsouth's philosophy. They are shooting themselves in the foot with such remarks.
--
"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein." - Bush, May 2004.

Derch
Premium
join:2004-10-16
Cross Plains, WI

Re: The sad thing...

If anything, Google should be charging BellSouth for hits to it's domain via their data lines.

FLea973
Premium
join:2001-02-27
Morristown, NJ
Here is an idea to paraphrase what I said earlier...

1) Start a site on Bell South's Network
2) Provide popular high quality copyrighted mp3s
3) Abide by BellSouth's wishes and PAY them for the privilege
4) Call RIAA and inform them of what I am doing and why -possibly ask for a deal or I'll shut down now and settle with them for a pittance since I'm already broke (keep reading as to why I might get it)
5) Wait enough time for RIAA to gather enough evidence to sue me
6) Under court order shut down
7) Sit back and watch RIAA sue the crap out of BellSouth for not only facilitating my site but profiting from it (where all I did was offer it for free).
8) Collect my "finder's fee" from RIAA
9) Watch all the other pipe providers' lawyers realize how much better it is just to provide the pipe and not try to wade into the content area
10) Dutifully buy any song I want on an overpriced CD (or format du jour) that contains 16 other tracks even my cats cringe at - and re-buy them when new formats are introduced (the finder's fee should cover that more than easily)

Only flaw I see is, this is a country where the Gov't not only successfully sues cigarette manufacturers for billions but then turns around and hands out money in subsidies to the folks growing the tobacco.
MousePM

join:2005-07-20
White Bluff, TN

HAHAHA

LOL! Bellsouth and Verizon are starting to see Google in the corner of their eye.
rambarran

join:2002-07-03
Elmont, NY

Re: HAHAHA

Seem like they are the government and want to collect taxes.

Humored

@204.62.x.x

Bass Ackwarded

Bell South should be paying Google and everyone else to be on their network. Does not the cable and satellite companies pay the various programming channels such as ESPN for the right to carry them? It seems logical for Bell South to pay every website that goes over their connection. What is the difference between a cable pipe, a satellite pipe or a DSL pipe?

ArchonXD40
Docsis 3.0

join:2003-02-24
Bossier City, LA

Re: Bass Ackwarded

No,heres what needs to happen.
Google needs to smack BellSouth up side the face.
Google should tell BellSouth to STFU or w'ell deney access
to Google from BellSotth customers.

I'm so tired of BellSouth whinning and bitching about everything.

--
More upload please!
bboaze9

join:2003-09-19
Cornelius, NC

Re: Bass Ackwarded

Some people live in neighborhoods that have mailbox clusters every ten houses or so. I think when I mail a letter to one of those houses I should get a cheaper stamp. Or should people who mail letters to me have to pay more?

MDsonet

@verizon.net

Re: Bass Ackwarded

The people who send you letters need to pay an extra fee to the manufacturer of your mailbox, and you need to pay an extra fee to the manufacturers of your friends' mailboxes.

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