News / Networks
AT and T raises broadband-payment debate
On 2 February 2006, AT and T chairman Ed Whitacre argued that companies seeking premium, interruption-free delivery could be asked to contribute to network costs. The comments were reported as part of a wider US argument about who should fund broadband infrastructure.
The competing positions
The source says BellSouth had voiced a similar view, while Google objected that subscribers already paid for internet access. The disagreement was about possible commercial arrangements around access and quality, not an announced rule or a settled policy.
Why the issue mattered
Streaming and other bandwidth-intensive services were making capacity and service quality more visible questions for carriers and publishers. The account records a 2006 policy and business debate; it does not claim that any particular charging model was later adopted or remains in force. No rate, product or agreement was announced in the report.