That's not what it is.

Saying that multiplayer gaming is going to remain free, is a red herring.  As we saw in the MW2's debacle on PSN, you get what you pay for.  This isn't to say XBL hasn't had technical problems in the past, but it IS to say that XBL have every right and expectation that on a big launch like this, there will be sufficient capacity.  If you're getting something for free...exactly what right do you have?  I'm not even sure the technical implementation is the same for both platforms?  Until we see what exactly these subscriptions will cover, it's hard to say the true impact...but I suspect...you're going to see alot of stuff included, other than multiplayer. 

Again, Sony is trying to beat M$ at a game it CAN'T win at.  M$ has cost and price on its side, and I can see them launching something like...Peak Periods for Gold members and Silver get free non-peak.  Another way is to have non-peak kick in 30 days after a game launches...maybe 60 or 90.  The point  is that M$ is in the driver's seat, and it can tweak XBL as necessary to counter what steps Sony takes, once we see what these "premium" services are.

I know you say its for the mmo's, which it very well will be, but it will also include other commodities.

Saying that multiplayer gaming is going to remain free, is a red herring.  As we saw in the MW2's debacle on PSN, you get what you pay for.  This isn't to say XBL hasn't had technical problems in the past, but it IS to say that XBL have every right and expectation that on a big launch like this, there will be sufficient capacity.  If you're getting something for free...exactly what right do you have?  I'm not even sure the technical implementation is the same for both platforms?  Until we see what exactly these subscriptions will cover, it's hard to say the true impact...but I suspect...you're going to see alot of stuff included, other than multiplayer. 

Again, Sony is trying to beat M$ at a game it CAN'T win at.  M$ has cost and price on its side, and I can see them launching something like...Peak Periods for Gold members and Silver get free non-peak.  Another way is to have non-peak kick in 30 days after a game launches...maybe 60 or 90.  The point  is that M$ is in the driver's seat, and it can tweak XBL as necessary to counter what steps Sony takes, once we see what these "premium" services are.

Likely only for the specfic games, but I don't honestly think Sony would damage one of the biggest selling points to their platform. Especially now that the closest competition is the same price as them and they need to have as many advantages as possible.