"Verizon is reportedly set to begin testing a sponsored data program that would let companies pay Verizon to deliver online services without using up customers' data plans. The news comes from aRe/code interview
This is usually referred to as "zero-rating" and is related to, perhaps a sub-topic of, network neutrality but perhaps a little different. It's become a somewhat big issue in the developing world particularly with Facebook Zero, Wikipedia Zero, Google Free Zone (which doesn't mean a zone w/o google!), and internet.org for some buzzology. T-Mobile has also offered some related music services in the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-rating The concern in the developing world is that these services will push out local businesses who can't afford to pay for customers' data or don't have the capital to interest carriers in such a plan for them. I'm mixed, it's probably worth digging into the issue a little before shooting from the hip though. -- -Barry Shein Software Tool & Die | bzs@TheWorld.com | http://www.TheWorld.com Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 617-739-0202 | Login: 617-739-WRLD The World | Public Access Internet | Since 1989 *oo*