One of the major issues facing the Internet of late has been the concept of “net neutrality,” the notion that ISPs should not be allowed to block access to websites they deem “harmful” to their business model. This is mostly in the wake of Comcast and their infamous decision to block all outgoing BitTorrent traffic in what can only be described as an attempt to “poison the well” of the popular decentralized filesharing system.

Neil Berkett, incoming CEO of Britain’s #2 ISP, Virgin Media, apparently has his own ideas about net neutrality… and if you support the notion, it’s not going to be pleasant to hear.

In a recent interview with the UK Television magazine, Berkett described net neutrality as “a load of bollocks,” adding that Virgin Media is already looking into deals with certain content providers to give them preferential treatment over his company’s lines – adding, ominously, that any company that chooses not to play ball with Virgin, such as the BBC itself, would find itself relegated to what Berkett calls “the bus lanes” of the Internet.

Although I naturally disagree vehemently with his portrayal of net neutrality, I must give Berkett points for having the big brass ones to state his disdain for it in so public a forum. If nothing else, it leaves us with no doubt whatsoever as to where he stands on the issue, which certainly eliminates a lot of the guesswork. You have to admire that sort of courage, misguided though it may be.

Of course, it also means that supporters of neutrality now have a very definite face to stick on their voodoo dolls.  There is something to be said for knowing exactly who your enemy is.

No matter what your take on net neutrality – whether you believe it to be a vitally important concept for online freedom or if you think it’s a pretty-sounding excuse to make intellectual-property theft seem respectable – it’s becoming more and more important to make sure you’re educated on exactly what it is, why it’s such a hot-button issue, and what could happen in its absence. That’s a little bit beyond me at the moment, however. This site is a good starting point, with links to articles and editorials both pro and con.

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