Verizon和Google联手推出一项互联网提案

    Last week, Verizon and Google proposed a plan they say could keep the Internet open while supporting investment in high-speed Internet service.
    上周,Verizon和谷歌联手推出了一项提案,他们称,该方案既能保证互联网的开放性,又能保证对高速互联网投资的支持。

    Verizon has the nation's biggest wireless network while Google is the biggest Internet search engine. The proposal was a surprise because the two companies have been on opposite sides of the debate over net neutrality.
    Verizon拥有全国最大的无线网络,而谷歌则是最大的网络搜索引擎。该提案非常出人意料,因为在网络中立性的争议中,两家公司一直处于对立状态。

    That is the idea that all content on the Web should be treated equally.
    网络中立性是指互联网上所有内容都应该被公平对待。

    Internet service providers want to be able to charge more for heavy Internet traffic or users who want special services. The Federal Communications Commission regulates telephone, cable and satellite communications. But its power to regulate Internet service has been questioned in the courts.
    网络服务供应商希望对大流量和需要特别服务的用户收取更多费用。联邦通信委员会(FCC)负责管理电话,电缆和卫星通信。但是该机构管理网络服务的权力在法庭上遭到了质疑。

    The new proposal calls for rules barring service providers from preventing users from sending and receiving legal information of any kind. Users also could not be prevented from linking any application, service or device they choose to the Web.
    这项新的提案呼吁出台规则,禁止服务供应商阻止用户发送和接收任何形式的合法信息。也不能阻止用户连接网络上任何应用程序、服务或设备。

    And broadband Internet providers would be barred from discriminating against content and would have to be open about their policies.
    还将要求互联网宽带供应商禁止歧视任何内容,同时必须公开他们的政策。

    Supporters of net neutrality criticized the proposal for not including wireless providers. Wireless broadband is among the fastest growing parts of the Internet.
    网络中立性的支持者批评该提案没有包括无线网络供应商。而无线宽带是互联网发展最快的部分。

    Others oppose the creation of a "two-tiered" system on the Internet in which some content gets a fast lane and other content goes slowly.But Daniel Brenner says such a system already exists.
    其他人则反对创建互联网“双轨制”,一些内容进入宽带快车道,另外一些则只能缓慢传输。但是Daniel Brenner表示,这种制度已经存在。

    DANIEL BRENNER: "In some ways there are two tiers today. In other words, there's the public Internet which we all use for Web surfing, e-mail and sometimes for voice. And then there are managed networks."
    DANIEL BRENNER:“在某种程度上讲,现在已经存在两级制度。也就是说,有一些公共网络,我们所有人都可以在上面进行网上冲浪,电子邮件,有时还可以语音聊天。还有一些受到限制的网络。”

    Daniel Brenner is a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells in Washington. He says service providers want to be able to charge more because they build networks out to their customers across the country. Such companies are the so-called "last mile" providers.
    Daniel Brenner是华盛顿Hogan Lovells律师事务所的合伙人。他表示,服务供应商希望收取更多的费用是因为他们为全国的客户建立了网络。这样的公司就是所谓的“最后一公里连接”供应商。

    But, the Internet is really a network of networks which exchange traffic all the time and compete with each other. And not all networks reach the last mile to a customer's door.
    但是,互联网实际上是一系列网络的组合,相互之间一直在交换流量同时也互相竞争。并不是所有网络都完成“最后一公里”实现网络入户。

    Paul Kouroupas of Global Crossing says his company wants to make sure agreements between service providers are honored on all networks. That way, a service promised by Global Crossing on its fiber optic network will be extended all the way to a customer's door — even if another company carries the service that last mile.
    Global Crossing公司的Paul Kouroupas表示,他们公司希望确保与服务供应商之间的协议得到所有网络的认可。那样的话,Global Crossing承诺的光纤网络服务可以扩展到所有用户——即使是由另外一个公司提供“最后一公里”服务。

    注:最后一公里(Last kilometer),在英美也常被称为Last Mile(最后一英里/最后一公里),原意指完成长途跋涉的最后一段里程,被引申为完成一件事情的时候最后的而且是关键性的步骤(通常还说明此步骤充满困难)。通信行业经常使用“最后一公里”来指代从通信服务提供商的机房交换机到用户计算机等终端设备之间的连接。