We take a lot for granted when we use the Internet, in addition to a reliable fast line — web surfing, watching videos, IM, podcasts, Over the last 15 years or so the Internet has emerged as an open platform, allowing unlimited access and innovation. However, the Internet providers argue that it will limit their incentives to build the type of video capable broadband networks they have planned for their customers.
In a statement that is widely credited with unleashing the debate to begin with last year, Ed Whitacre, CEO of AT&T, declared:
“Now what they would like to do is use my pipes free, but I ain’t going to let them do that because we have spent this capital and we have to have a return on it. So there’s going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they’re using. Why should they be allowed to use my pipes? The Internet can’t be free in that sense, because we and the cable companies have made an investment and for a Google or Yahoo! or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes [for] free is nuts!”
Who wants to get rid of Net Neutrality?
“The nation’s largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won’t load at all. They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors. These companies have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of an even playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those from big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road. The big phone and cable companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to gut Net Neutrality, putting the future of the Internet at risk.”
Google’s ‘Guide to Net Neutrality’ states: “Network neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. The Internet has operated according to this neutrality principle since its earliest days… Fundamentally, net neutrality is about equal access to the Internet. In our view, the broadband carriers should not be permitted to use their market power to discriminate against competing applications or content. Just as telephone companies are not permitted to tell consumers who they can call or what they can say, broadband carriers should not be allowed to use their market power to control activity online.”
I feel strongly about the Internet remaining open. It’s for all our best interests, and it’s not as if we’re against paying for high quality service from the Internet providers… we’re ready to pay as we always have been, and will expect increases in rates of course… but the point is to allow people at all levels to be able to use the Internet for whatever needs they have without restriction. We need more regulation for the Internet, to protect it, especially as there is increasing TV distribution over the Internet and providers desire to stake ownership builds.
There are many groups forming and aggressively fighting for Net Neutrality. One in particular, a cute naked chick says on her site…
“I will make love with every virgin who defends the Internet”
“I’m using sex in a positive way to spread awareness.”
“…just another great example of what’s possible thanks to net neutrality.”