5-6 Survival of the biggest

http://www.economist.com/printedition/2012-12-01

ESG Season5 6th meeting
DATE: 9th Nov. 2012 10:00-12:00
PLACE: Kanda, Tokyo
MEMBERS: Ogawa, Mizutani, Murakami, Shimada, Yoshida, Fujisaki, Yamagata, Fujita

Internet governance
System error

Governments squabble over new rules for the internet

Interests: 

We enjoy internet open culture. But this is not obvious as compared with a former information innovation like a telephone system. We should be in mind that we make every effort to make consensus and set a common rule on the internet.

Discussion:

■Which side do you prefer to stand with? 

  Should internet be regulated by authorities?

■What do you think of new proposals that will charge internet communication?

Summary:

1. The rules of the internet  chaotic / ragtag / delight for innovators / nightmare for authoritarian governments  need to set a new rule

2. World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai from December 3rd The chance to write new rules, with a review of an elderly treaty: the International Telecommunication Regulation.

(1) Defenders (US, EU) opinion: 

Regulation by ITU is obsolete. They are opaque and bureaucratic so the treaty doesn’t fit to the internet’s open culture which is created by a bunch of academics, engineers, firms and non-profit organizations.

(2) Offenders (China, Russia) opinion:

American authorities enjoy vested interests. For example, internet address system (ICANN) located in California can boot undesirable website off the internet even though it is a charity organization.

3. Closer looking on new proposals: 

(1) The most popular websites, such as facebook or YouTube should be or should not be billed for the data they send, as if they were making phone calls. 

(2) whether or not governments outlaw “network neutrality rules” which require operators to grant equal priority to all internet traffic and prevent from charging higher prices for “fast lane”.

4. Conclusion: 

The biggest worry is a deadlock. That might encourage a large pack of nations to set up their own internet regime, making communication with the rest of the world more costly and more complicated. 

Other discussions

Survival of the biggest from Leaders
German elections: Politicians in proportion from Europe (Shimada)
The energy bill: Winds of change from Britain (Yoshida)
Adult adoption in Japan: Keeping it in the family from Asia (Fujisaki)