Despite the fact that the August 9 published Google-Verizon proposal appears to be pro net neutrality, though within certain environments, it still has kicked off a debate because of some apparently controversial suggestions.

While the proposal essentially backs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s 2005 net neutrality policy statement, it clearly makes use of some litigation-attracting wording suggestions, like the blocking of discrimination only if it “causes meaningful harm to competition or to users” – a suggestion that would not be consistent in different situations.

In fact, the three main Google-Verizon-proposed suggestions that spark off a controversy include the proposals that seek the exemption of “wireless broadband” and “additional online services” from the net neutrality regulations, and the confines of the FCC’s rulemaking authority.

Though the exemption of wireless broadband from net neutrality regulations has been sought on the grounds that it is a “competitive and still-developing” arena, there has been no reasoning put forth for the exemption sought for additional online services. 

With the proposal suggesting that the exempt additional services must be “distinguishable in purpose and scope” from Internet access, there are indications that Google-Verizon probably want to authorize a non-Internet in parallel to the Internet, a non-Internet in name and regulation only – one which is good for everyone else except the carriers.