This Isn't Net Neutral, Is It?

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TelstraClear are offering a deal (see below) that offers free TradeMe and Clearnet/Video access and, after my first reaction of, "Cool, free stuff", I instantly thought, "Hey, this is not net neutral, surely?" Once we get used to these sorts of deals then it's only a few more steps to stopping someone going to a particular site because that's outside the "package you've bought".

Imagine if your Web viewing (or email sending - anything via the Internet and not just the Web) worked in the same way as SkyTV does. Pay $x for the basic package but if you want to see other stuff then pay more. For instance, pay $x for NZ Web traffic with a few high profile international sites thrown in but pay $x+ for sites off an approved list. Oh, you want to send email, that's another $y dollars for that sort of traffic and $y+ for international.

I am NOT saying that's where it IS going but it's where it COULD go.

Anyway they deal from TelstraClear (removed the links as they track the crap out of the clicks and will assume it's me :-):
Hi there,
Great News! TelstraClear Residential Broadband customers can now browse Trade Me for hours and watch all the video content you want on Clearnet.co.nz/video, and it won't affect your monthly usage total one bit.

Why? Because we are unmetering Trade Me and all video content on Clearnet.co.nz/video for three months from 21st September until the 21st December, 2008 for TelstraClear Residential Broadband customers.

Even better, we have also added several new titles to our sports video section, including:

[ snipped out the advertising list ]

And if this isn’t enough, we have also launched the new Clearnet Games Show, and the site is packed with the latest game trailers and footage.

So what are you waiting for? Make the most of it and check out Clearnet.co.nz today!

The Team at Clearnet

PS. Still on dial up? Check out your options for upgrading to TelstraClear Residential Broadband.

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