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Internet Freedom and Innovation at Risk: Why Congress Must Restore Strong Net Neutrality Protection by M Wolber Apr 6, 2007 The creation and dynamic growth of the Internet is in part the result of strong Net Neutrality protection. All of that changed in 2005, when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) suddenly repealed longstanding Internet non-discrimination principles with the blessing of the United States Supreme Court. Since then, the keys to the Internet have been turned over to a handful of profit-driven telecoms and cable companies. |
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The creation and dynamic growth of the Internet is in part the result of strong Net Neutrality protection. All of that changed in 2005, when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) suddenly repealed longstanding Internet non-discrimination principles with the blessing of the United States Supreme Court. Since then, the keys to the Internet have been turned over to a handful of profit-driven telecoms and cable companies. Immediate restoration of well-established Net Neutrality principles is necessary to protect freedom and innovation on the Internet. About Net Neutrality The Internet was born and flourished under well-established Net Neutrality protections. These protections are derived from Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, which grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to regulate telephone companies as common carriers. As computer technology was developed, data began to flow over telephone lines. In the 1970s and 1980s, the FCC responded by ensuring that network providers would provide access for data transmissions on a non-discriminatory basis by protecting them like other communications services. Title II was strengthened by making common carrier telephone networks available to independent equipment manufacturers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Net Neutrality rests on three guiding principles: * No discrimination against lawful content. Net Neutrality ensures that Internet users have the right to access lawful websites of their choice and to post lawful content, free of discrimination or degradation by network providers. In other words, network providers cannot block or slow down lawful content they dislike. A vibrant marketplace of ideas on the Internet cannot function with corporate censors. * Equal Internet access at an equal price. Under Net Neutrality, network providers cannot give preferential treatment to their own services at the expense of competing sites consumers want to use. In many markets, Internet access is only available through one or two providers. Equal access at an equal price means that network providers cannot abuse their monopoly by barring access, providing slower access, or charging higher premiums to popular services competing with their own. The free market, and not tollbooths run by a few corporate monopolies, must be allowed to decide Internet winners and losers. * Consumers choose network equipment. Since 1968, Net Neutrality has allowed consumers to choose the equipment they want, or make it themselves, and attach it to any network. In 1996, Congress reaffirmed this right by directing the FCC to adopt regulations permitting consumers to have the final choice of cable boxes used to convert television signals. Net Neutrality prevents network providers from eliminating competing equipment by making it incompatible with their gateway. In the process, it ensures that equipment choice remains in the hands of Internet users, where it rightfully belongs. The Internet has become the 21st century�s marketplace of ideas because of these bedrock Net Neutrality principles. Anyone with access to the Internet can create, download, e-mail, or post any lawful content they want without fear of censorship or artificial tiered access. Information can be shared worldwide with just a few keystrokes. Budding journalists who aspire to be the next Matt Drudge can post blogs at the cost of a connection fee that all Internet users pay. Home videos can be distributed at real time speeds equal to the latest unwanted corporate advertisements. Net Neutrality has made the Internet the most democratic forum for free speech in the world. In 2005, the Telecoms Captured the FCC and Eliminated Net Neutrality Protection Following the Supreme Court's Brand X Decision. A handful of big telecoms and cable companies provide Internet network services, including AT |
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(2007-04-06 03:19:01) This isn't the last time that a bill will be introduced that will try to put control of the Internet into "more qualified" aka, corporations with a monetary interest in the development of the Internet. While it's not perfect, the Internet still has some of that wild west spirit that shouldn't be tamed. ..IMO. | |
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(2007-06-05 23:20:23) AT&T chief Ed Whitacre handed the keys over to his replacement Randall Stephenson yesterday, but not before giving a rousing pep talk to fellow executives in the companyâs San Antonio board room. We just received exclusive video of the AT&T chairmanâs parting speech. âThereâs a problem. Itâs called Net Neutrality,â Whitacre told the heirs to AT&Tâs telecommunications empire. âWell, frankly, we say to hell with that. Weâre gonna put up some toll booths and start charging admission.âThis statement echoes those made in the press by Whitacre and Stephenson over the last two years. Despite claims of poverty whenever pressed to offer better services, these AT&T execs are privately gloating over more than $35 billion in gross profits over the last 12 months. Moreover, Whitacre (and now Stephenson) are pressuring Congress to allow them to provide privileged Web access to their customers to companies that pay them a special fee. âWill Congress let us do it?â Whitacre asks his colleagues. âYou bet they will - cuz we donât call it cashinâ in. We call it âderegulation.â â From: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/06/05/theres-a-problem-its-called-net-neutrality/ | |