In Defense of Broadband Fast Lanes

[Commentary] The outrage over the Federal Communications Commission’s attempt to write new open Internet rules has caught many by surprise, and probably Chairman Tom Wheeler, as well.

The rumored possibility of the FCC authorizing broadband “fast lanes” draws most complaints and animus. Many net neutrality proponents would like to smear all priority traffic as unjust and exploitative. This is unfortunate and a bit ironic because one of the most transformative communications developments -- cable VoIP -- is a prioritized IP service.

There are other IP-based services that are only economically feasible if jitter, latency and slow speed are minimized. Prioritized traffic takes several forms, but it could enhance these services: VoIP, cloud-hosted virtual desktops, TV, gaming, teleconferencing, telemedicine, teleteaching, etc.

[Skorup is Research Fellow, Technology Policy Program, Mercatus Center at George Mason University]