> It refers to the capabilities of an Internet-connected
> computer to communicate with other computers.
There is no inherent property of the internet ensuring that all nodes are equally capable of sending or receiving packets. There are large sections of the internet placed behind routers that enforce non-transitive forwarding rules. Sometimes, hardware failures or software policies prevent communication between arbitrary sets of nodes.
There is no indication that Google Fiber, or any other major ISP, is planning to ban incoming connections. The TOS does not ban users from replying to SYN.
I will also note that phone networks are just as node-egalitarian as the internet. In a typical phone network, any endpoint may establish a circuit to any other connected endpoint. Saying that Verizon expects its users to be consumers because they sell phone service is incoherent.
There is no indication that Google Fiber, or any other major ISP, is planning to ban incoming connections. The TOS does not ban users from replying to SYN.
I will also note that phone networks are just as node-egalitarian as the internet. In a typical phone network, any endpoint may establish a circuit to any other connected endpoint. Saying that Verizon expects its users to be consumers because they sell phone service is incoherent.