Google general counsel defends net neutrality regulations

Google cares, and it shows. That was the sentiment that Google general counsel David Drummond displayed at an organized debate in Aspen, Colorado on Tuesday. Drummond said that Google is fearful for the smaller innovators at the edge of the network. Drummond is referring to "garage outfits" and smaller startups and small businesses that will soon rely on the Internet to reach customers and countries all over the globe without fear of retribution in terms of tiered priority on bandwidth. After all, Google started out this way, without worry except to take care of its customers. The "information superhighway" was open and the maintenance of the roads was supposed to be by the people who built those roads.

If you think about it, net neutrality is kind of like a toll highway -- only those who choose to pay a premium are allowed to use the tollway, while others may choose not to pay the toll and are forced -- by their own actions -- to use older streets and highways that may be inefficient and cause drivers to take a much longer route to their destinations.

Drummond has a good point here in this argument. While the telcos sharply remain on the side of "forcing innovation" by charging certain content providers on differently-tiered access points, the exact same argument can be said on the flip side. Drummond appears to be saying the "pre-garage" shops just now churning ideas should not have to go to worldwide telecom carriers asking for permission to reach out to customers. Sure, these companies will pay for use on the "information superhighway" -- bandwidth fees, connection fees, etc. -- but the "double charging" premise of net neutrality that helps equalize the market today would stifle innovation. That is, unless startups and small business are flush with cash. Can you name one with a black-inked pocketbook?

Brian White has worked in various executive positions in technology and telecommunications and now focuses on editing and writing.