I haven't read the actual proposed legislature yet, and I'd want to read that before trusting that a newspaper got the details all correct. No matter how good they are... [img]smile.gif[/img] Heck, other ought to read it themselves before they decide if I know what I'm talking about or not.
I agree that they focused attention on more than the ISPs. They're looking at the whole infrastructure, but there's no one company that owns the whole infrastructure. They may be few, but they are multiple.
The issue as I understand it is in treating all data equally. Now, that's a noble principle and well worth following, but tell me... does that mean that by having express checkouts, grocery stores are not treating all shoppers equally? Or by having special check-in lines for frequent guest club members, hotels and airlines aren't treating all guests equally? Since Chicago tollroads have different toll rates if you pay cash or via a pass card, are they not treating all drivers equally?
I don't have an issue with them creating a standard level of service, and then offering a premium service to those who wish to participate. I think the issue is that if they do that, they have to offer the premium as an up-tick. They can't offer the premium as a standard, and downgrade you if you don't participate (even though that's what's happening).
IOW, there's a minimum level of expected service, and you can pay more to get that level. Not pay more to get to the minimum level.
Not sure about your final comment... I think I misunderstood it [img]smile.gif[/img]
BTW, the US doesn't control the telcos that manage the infrastructure, to my knowledge. So removing ICANN from US control won't do anything for this issue, delightful though the prospect may be.