From: <msegel@segel.com>
To: <DNSTransition@ntia.doc.gov>
Date: Mon, Jul 3, 2006 3:30 PM
Subject: How to fix the internet ... ;-)

First, I apologize for the overly optimistic and simplistic title.

I've been on the 'net since the mid 80's as a student, then via a dialup
UUCP connection for Usenet and e-mail. When I could afford my own leased
line, I set up my own domain in '94.

I think that I have lived the history to provide some salient background on
what has to occur in order to clean up the net.

First, for domain registration, it is far to easy to create a domain with
fictional credentials as if the domain name was property and we were living
in the land rush of the 1800's. Because the domain name is essentially
virtual real-estate, there needs to be some form of verification and
tracking. While I'm not going to attempt to outline a solution here, I
merely point out that this is an area that needs to be reconstructed. I
believe that it is possible to put in to place a methodology that would
allow one to verify a registration of a domain and to not create a negative
backlash.

Second, if the telcos wish to create a tiered internet, then they should be
allowed to under FCC and FTC regulated processes. (Along with international
laws and convention.) The carriers should be allowed to do this if they
pass certain criteria.

1) That they conform to the "net-etiquette" and clean up their
networks. A simple example is to filter all port 25 communication that
doesn't go through their mail servers, unless their customer has made a
documented request and has shown the skills that they can lock down their
machine from most known attacks.

2) They must also agree that they are a common carrier and that if
they are going to filter base on the type of packet, then they can not
filter based on the location of the packet. For example if they want to
segment and provide priority for VOIP (Voice over IP) then they must allow
any and all VOIP traffic access to this segment and priority bandwidth. If
they are going to charge a premium, then it should controlled and the same
for all customers based on a set schedule or tariff. All of this must also
be part of a peering agreement.

I'm sure if we were to think through this, one could outline a complete
method that would allow the telcos to get what they want and to give the
people what they need at a price we could all afford.

I believe that the government should retain control of the "internet" due to
the need of continued funding for R&D to improve services, as well as acting
as an impartial sounding board. In addition, the internet has now become an
infrastructure too important to the welfare of the US to be privatized and
raped by corporations.

I strongly believe that to "fix" the net, the US govt must retain control
and spend time, money and research effort to enhance the current
infrastructure that is already in place.

-Mike Segel