“The ‘Open Internet’ is the Internet as we know it. It’s open because it uses free, publicly available standards that anyone can access and build to, and it treats all traffic that flows across the network in roughly the same way. The principle of the Open Internet is sometimes referred to as ‘net neutrality.’ Under this principle, consumers can make their own choices about what applications and services to use and are free to decide what lawful content they want to access, create, or share with others. This openness promotes competition and enables investment and innovation.
“The Open Internet also makes it possible for anyone, anywhere to easily launch innovative applications and services, revolutionizing the way people communicate, participate, create, and do business — think of email, blogs, voice and video conferencing, streaming video, and online shopping. Once you’re online, you don’t have to ask permission or pay tolls to broadband providers to reach others on the network. If you develop an innovative new website, you don’t have to get permission to share it with the world.” – FCC Website
The President of the United States has stated his plan to maintain “net neutrality.” – The Washington Post
He’s stated that the Internet ought to be considered a public utility, much like water and electricity. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “is in the process of making new rules to protect net neutrality, those rules would actually allow internet providers to offer so-called ‘fast lanes,’ effectively defeating the purpose of net neutrality in the first place. During a public comment period over the summer, Americans spoke out loudly against the proposal, but it’s not yet clear what the commission plans to do in response. FCC chair Tom Wheeler has said that he isn’t entirely opposed to Title II, but that’s appeared to be only if other methods won’t work first.” – The Verge
The FCC has been wrestling with the issue of who owns the Internet and how will Internet services be distributed for a long time. – FCC Website
And yesterday, the FCC sent this response to the President’s plan. – TechCrunch.com
Not surprisingly, right-wing nut cases are calling the President’s case for net neutrality “Obamacare for the Internet.” – The Los Angeles Times
Also, not surprisingly, Comcast writes checks to right-wing nut cases to help them stay in office. – OpenSecrets.org
This nation needs net neutrality in order to maintain equal footing with other nations. We need net neutrality to keep the Internet providers from selling out to the highest bidders. For several years, Columbia news, views & reviews has written to and spoken with elected public servants asking them to consider certain high-speed Internet providers to be public utilities.
After all, certain Internet providers pay to have exclusivity of cable Internet delivery in populated areas. Customers really don’t have a choice of providers for high-speed cable Internet delivery in Columbia, for instance. Municipalities get paid for exclusivity. Take a look at the contract one internet provider has with the borough.
Earlier this year, Columbia news, views and reviews posted these items:
- NOT net neutrality: big money wins another one and we lose – wired.com
- Those who pay more will get faster speeds: “This hilarious graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality” – The Washington Post
- Today’s the day! What you need to know about “net neutrality” – Marshable.com
- Net Neutrality 101 – “The free-flowing Internet as we know it could very well become history.” – savetheinternet.com
- Big business buys off another government agency, and it’s going to cost you as “net neutrality” dims. Internet speeds will be faster if you have big bucks – slower for everyone else. – The New York Times
- “Creating a two-speed Internet” – The New York Times editorial
- The FCC is now moving to end net neutrality. Tell the FCC chairman you will not stand for this.
Columbia news, views & reviews 