Net Neutrality and the ComFlix Deal

Some folks are in a bit of an uproar regarding the deal between Comcast and Netflix. They believe it is the beginning of the end for internet neutrality. Netflix has agreed to pay Comcast but it's not so Netflix can receive priority over other data. The story is that Netflix pumps out a lot of data and that data with its rich HD content tends to overload equipment at Cogent Communications. The company that connects the Netflix network to Comcast and other internet service providers. Apparently, for some time, the connections between Netflix and Cogent have been running at capacity. The solution to this issue would be to simply upgrade the interconnects between Cogent and Comcast. The problem was who would pay for the upgrade? Netflix really didn't have the leverage to make Cogent or Comcast pay since most of its traffic is one directional toward the Comcast network, so it decided to pay Comcast to connect directly to its network. Thus eliminating the middle man, Cogent. Netflix states that this won't increase customer pricing. Whether it was Cogent or Comcast, Netflix would have had to pay someone to handle the large amount of traffic it sends.

Xfinity Now Offering On Demand Online

Comcast is now offering the on demand component of its Xfinity service online. As a subscriber you can now access your on demand content via any web connected computer. Movies, TV Shows, HBO, Showtime, and other network programming can now be accessed from the internet via the subscriber-based service. Once there you will also find a kicked up channel guide, as well as the ability to manage your Comcast DVR remotely. All in all pretty cool stuff, but are we really getting our money's worth without an a la carte programming option from the cable giant?