2 posts and columns on Christopher Rhoads

Carriers Eye Pay-As-You-Go Internet

in News on October 21, 2009 at 5:00 am PT

In the early years of the Internet, the more time people spent online, the more they paid a provider like AOL for their connection. But as customers have shifted to always-on broadband services, many Web surfers have enjoyed all-you-can-eat Internet for a flat rate.

A DIY Test for Your Broadband Provider's Net Neutrality

in News on January 16, 2009 at 10:30 am PT

Worried that your broadband provider is slowing down your Web traffic? If so, you might want to download the aptly named “Switzerland”–a tool that tests whether your Internet provider is violating the principles of so-called “network neutrality.” Network neutrality, which prevents carriers from blocking traffic or manipulating the speeds of traffic from certain Web sites, became a hot-button issue several years ago when carriers suggested they should be allowed to charge content providers more for using faster lanes on their networks.