Breaking: Google, Verizon Jointly Announce Net Neutrality Proposal

Google and Verizon may not be ending net neutrality today, but they have released a statement outlining their proposal regarding web access and the freedoms (for consumers and enterprises) that lie within. The gist: Google and Verizon are supporters of net neutrality, but they’re working jointly to devise a way for the two companies to work together on methods around delivery, access and all related business.

From their statement:

In October, our two companies issued a shared statement of principles on network neutrality. A few months later we submitted a joint filing to the FCC, and in an April joint op-ed our CEOs discussed their common interest in an open Internet. Since that time, we have listened to all sides of the debate, engaged in good faith with policy makers in multiple venues, and challenged each other to craft a balanced policy framework. We have been guided by the two main goals:

1. Users should choose what content, applications, or devices they use, since openness has been central to the explosive innovation that has made the Internet a transformative medium.

2. America must continue to encourage both investment and innovation to support the underlying broadband infrastructure; it is imperative for our global competitiveness.

The statement goes on to outline seven points the companies will work around, with hopes to clear up last week’s confusion. Looking at the following, however, means there are still plenty of details to be worked out. What their resulting deal could mean for consumers, especially in a growing mobile market, remains to be seen.

We believe this policy framework properly empowers consumers and gives the FCC a role carefully tailored for the new world of broadband, while also allowing broadband providers the flexibility to manage their networks and provide new types of online services.

Ultimately, we think this proposal provides the certainty that allows both web startups to bring their novel ideas to users, and broadband providers to invest in their networks.

As nice as that sounds, we’re hoping Google takes the best position in the end. That would demand consideration of the entire tech industry, not just sectors that serve its interests. John Furrier elaborates, saying “Google needs to represent the interests of all of the technology industry. The same industry it has made zillions from. More importantly, the efforts on cloud computing and new venture creation. Google can’t be a pawn for service providers and they must ‘do no evil.’ Otherwise, if Google takes a self serving approach they will quickly transform into the “evil empire” and become “Microsoft” in the minds of the industry.

In the same vein:

• U.S. Falling Behind World in Broadband Adoption, FCC Fears
• FCC Needs More Data Before they Regulate Net Neturality
• Google and Verizon Vs. Net Neutrality: Bad News for SMBs
• Understanding Verizon v. FCC
• MetroPCS’s Got the Spirit. Of Net Neutrality, That Is. Dares FCC to See for Itself.
• We Warned Google Not to Be Evil: South Korea Raids Offices