On Net Neutrality - Verizon Steps In It.

Verizon reverses decision to block text messages BY Grant Gross September 27, 2007 (IDG News Service) -- Verizon Wireless Inc. has reversed a decision to block text messages on its network from abortion rights group Naral Pro-Choice America after an outcry from Net neutrality advocates and others. (ComputerWorld)

Now, I would think, by 2007, that the issue of net neutrality was pretty much a foregone conclusion. If you do not have neutrality, you cannot effectively have an Internet. It simply will not work otherwise. But clearly, the telcos, who cannot think from quarter to quarter, much less outside the box, still do not seem to get it and they are joined in their duplicity by the very federal agency that is supposed to be looking out for the citizen. Regrettably, it seems there is still a fight to be had.

Now, do not mistake me. I think that email and other services have been hijacked by spammers and all other unsavory characters to their own ends, making it harder and harder for legitimate users to really take advantage of the technology. What is especially bad about this whole case is that we are not talking about blanket SMS messages to just anyone, but targeted messages to people who have signed up for the service! That, to me, is not spam, regardless of how many people the message is going to. And in the case of SMS messages, unlike general email, Verizon would get their proverbial pound of flesh in the form of fees from receipt of message. So everyone wins. Of course, the suits at Verizon probably were facing a lawsuit over this and some sharp tech was talking to a marketing rep and said, why face a suit when we will make money and oh, by the way, here is another revenue stream (so look for this coming soon to a system near you).

The telcos can bitch all they want about freeloaders on their lines. The fact, as proven in other parts of the world, is that when you open the system, you get more opportunities and more opportunities means more money. You just have to spend a little more time thinking about how you are going to recognize the revenue, because the old rules do not apply any more.