Though today’s much-discussed proposal was long on talk of transparency, there are two loopholes in Google and Verizon’s plan for “Net Neutrality” rules and, yep, one of them covers “gaming options”.
The games industry is unhappy that AT&T, in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, described real-time online video gaming as an “aspirational service” of broadband communications and not a core need.
Comcast has started offering a faster version of their cable internet service that is said to reach speeds of 50Mb per second (up from offerings around 6 and 8Mb/s), aimed at business users and the more intense residential crowd (including gamers). But for the $US 149.95/month price, we’d recommend also looking into a FiOS line as well if they’re available in your area. As of now, the service is only available in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. But by 2008, it will be available to 20% of Comcast’s market. And by 2010, 100%. Oh, but by 2010, it would be nice if the price could be a bit lower, too. Comcast launches 50Mbps broadband… for $US 150 per month [ars technica]