graeme_p - 9:11 pm on Aug 9, 2010 (gmt 0)

As far as I can see this is a mixture of good and bad.

The good news: Google has got a telco to endorse the basic principles of network neutrality:

we agree that in addition to these existing principles there should be a new, enforceable prohibition against discriminatory practices. This means that for the first time, wireline broadband providers would not be able to discriminate against or prioritize lawful Internet content, applications or services in a way that causes harm to users or competition. Importantly, this new nondiscrimination principle includes a presumption against prioritization of Internet traffic - including paid prioritization.

The bad news: Google has,in return, agreed to endorse Verizons idea that wireless should be exempt from this:

we both recognize that wireless broadband is different from the traditional wireline world, in part because the mobile marketplace is more competitive and changing rapidly. In recognition of the still-nascent nature of the wireless broadband marketplace, under this proposal we would not now apply most of the wireline principles to wireless, except for the transparency requirement