Greetings:
I've been paying a little attention to the "net neutrality" issue:
I'm also deeply troubled by the potential for the carriers to ultimately cause the internet to be just like the mainstream media (MSM) in that it is nothing but a propaganda outlet.
But I find it unfortunate that the proponents of net neutrality can only offer government regulation as a solution. In principle I object to regulations defining what property owners can('t) do with their property.
I think the solution to the bandwidth providers' potential restriction of access to "non-preferred content" is to simply bypass the providers by making another free internet. (Not free as in beer, but free as in speech).
One can easily do this given current technology, but one cannot easily do this due to current regulations (primarily FCC, but I suppose others as well).
Of course, the regulations that restrict one's options for establishing new communications channels are staunchly defended by the telcos.
What is unfortunate is that the proponents of more regulatory solutions don't realize that the problem they are trying to solve originates in regulations.
What is even more ironic is that the subgroup who is concerned about freedom of speech issues and the availability of government-snoop-free communication channels to speak freely about such things as critical political discourse, fails to recognize that they are appealing to the very entity they fear for help.
When will people recognize that political solutions to political problems are an infinite loop that only ultimately increases the power of government?
Oh, the subject says "Who owns the telephone poles?" If I wanted to rent space from the pole owners to begin installing my own local private LAN, what would stop me? I expect the telcos would not rent such space to one with such intentions!
The free airwaves must be the solution!
Like this (within incredibly restrictive regulations freedom is still seeking, like a weed sprouting out of the crack in a vast pavement):