The recent FCC ruling in favor of Net Neutrality is an interesting decision. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States passed a rule that the Internet Service Providers should always act in “public interest” – similar to telephone lines. What this means is that the Service Providers such as AT&T can not enter into an agreement with Content Providers such as Netflix, Google, etc. where their content is given preference over other Internet sites. This ultimately translates to a single pricing structure for all end users irrespective of the content that they are accessing over the Internet. The ruling has been touted as a victory for end users and a rap on the knuckles for Service Providers who want to impose a variable pricing scheme for Content Providers. I don’t see it the same way necessarily. I think it makes sense to make end users pay for the service that they are receiving. Although we do not have
Author: mithunhebbar
Changing mindsets
While driving in the streets of Bengaluru (or anywhere else in India, for that matter), it is common to see vehicles coming down the wrong direction in a 4 lane road that is divided by a concrete road divider. Often, it is to “save” on a precious few milliliters of fuel because the option of following the rules would force them to travel a few kilometers more. Auto rickshaws, taxis, bicycles, mopeds, motorbikes, cars, buses and even trucks are guilty of doing this. For an independent observer, it can be quite startling to see how little these vehicle drivers care for their lives as well as others’! As it is driving in India is an exercise in alertness and road awareness and all those who drive down the wrong side of the road, be it in city traffic or on the highway, endanger their lives and those of others in their endeavor to save a few Rupees. The Indian consumer’s
Dhoni’s Legacy
Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired from Test cricket, post drawing a match against Australia at the MCG yesterday. The timing and the method of retirement were extraordinary. It caught the media contingent and everyone completely unawares. He was in a post match press conference less than an hour before the press release announcing his retirement. The press conference was as normal as it could be, not a hint of the impending announcement. Now, if ever there was a case of keeping one’s emotions in check, then this was it. Brilliant! He retires as the Captain of the Indian cricket team and statistically, the most successful man to have done the job. Under his supervision, India won approx. 40% of the test matches they played. A lot has been written about his home v/s away records. Regardless of all of that, the way he carried himself on and off the field defines his legacy. He has been one of a kind simply
Employment in Govt. organization
Over the past few years, the Indian government has made various attempts at divesting its stake in enterprises that have been a drain on the exchequer. Every time that this issue is brought up, the socialist India awakens, hoots loudly about how the poor and the labor would be adversely affected by the sale of the public enterprise. A recent article in the Economist on a global trend of poorly performing state owned companies is quite telling in its assessment. While the article only touches upon the performance of the banks in India in comparison with other enterprises across the world, there are any number of examples of Government owned companies struggling to remain relevant in an increasingly fast paced and competitive landscape. The social demographics in India dictated that those who were educated to be a Doctor or Engineer in the 60s, 70s and the 80s would invariably look for opportunities only in the Government sector. It is this
Phil Hughes
I simply had to write about the shocking and saddening news of Phil Hughes’ demise after being hit by a cricket ball while playing the game. It feels like a travesty to call it that – “playing a game”. One can not die while playing – can they? Not cricket, surely?! I do know there have been instances in the past, Raman Lamba, for example, famously died when hit in the head while fielding at forward short leg. That was a freak accident and somehow seems more comprehensible than to die after being hit while wearing a helmet and protective gear while batting. I do not know Phil Hughes. I did not follow his career closely. My impression of his cricketing ability was that he was one of many openers that the Australian cricket team had been trying in the past couple of years, looking for the right combination. Now, I do know a little more about him. I know
Mithun's Musings 