In case it’s not obvious why net neutrality is important, a society isn’t just the sum of its individuals; it requires communications, as well, and communications for all purposes are increasingly are carried over the Internet.

Around Austin, there have recently been net neutrality panels or discussions organized by IEEE and by EFF-Austin. EFF-Austin had a discussion, which we’re following up with a panel:

Net Neutrality: Consumers, Choice, and Peering

A panel discussion of Net Neutrality and Policy.

When:

6:30 PM, Thursday 2 November 2006

Where:

Austin Java, 1608 Barton Springs, patio in back on the north side.

Each panelist will speak for 10 minutes, followed by questions from anyone.

Panelists:

Moderator: Austin Bay	Syndicated columnist, author, and game creator
Hank Hultquist:	Assistant VP, Emerging Services & Technologies, AT&T
Michael Hathaway:	Router Hardware and Internet Startups
John S. Quarterman:	Internet Business Risk Management

Some possible topics include:

• monopoly and duopoly: where’s your choice?
• broadcast v. P2P
• consumers or participants?
• longhaul bandwidth
• the first mile
• mergers and politics

The more questions, the more interesting the answers.

-jsq