[Moonliner]

Here's the deal..

Right now the Internet is essentially neutral. You pay your ISP for a pipe to the Internet and then you can use it all you want. An analogy would be you fill you tank with Exxon gas and then drive where ever you want.

What at&t/Verizon want to do is create virtual toll lanes and change you extra for their use. So let's say you have a DSL connection at 1.2mb up and 720 down. If you go to Google video your connection might be throttled back to say 500kb (1/2 speed) unless you paid extra to at&t/Verizon. It's like filling up at Exxon and them billing you extra based on where you want to drive. If you go to Safeway it will cost you more than if you drive to Starbucks. They want to charge you EXTRA for visiting web sites that do not belong to them (like Google).

Ok, you say, no problem I just won't use AT&T for my ISP. Ahh but your earthlink or other ISP traffic will still flow over at&t routers and so still be subject to their extra fee and it's not just at&t of course ANYONE that owns a router between you and your site of choice will be able to tax you. In fact Cisco is developing a new line of routers just for this function.

Google and other providers are trying to nip this idea in the bud before it becomes an issue with "net neutrality" AT&V/Verizon are saying that Google is trying to block "net freedom" by which they mean the freedom for them to charge you whatever they want regardless of whether or not you are their customer.