jteamaz's Blog

When we log onto the Internet, we take a lot for granted. We assume we'll be able to access any Web site we want, whenever we want, at the fastest speed, whether it's a corporate or Mom and Pop site. We assume that we can use any service we like -- watching online video, listening to podcasts, sending instant messages -- anytime we choose, it's called Network Neutrality. "Net Neutrality" for short is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet, and it means no discrimination. Net Neutrality prevents Internet providers from speeding up or slowing down Web content based on it's source, ownership or destination. Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It protects the consumer's right to use any equipment, content, application or service on a non-discriminatory basis without interference from the network provider. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data -- not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.

The nation's largest telephone and cable companies -- including A T & 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. 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. These big companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to gut Net Neutrality, putting the future of the free and open Internet at risk. Net Neutrality has been part of the Internet since it's inception, but a 2005 decision by the FCC put it in jeopardy. Cable and phone companies are pushing to block legistlation that would reinstate Net Neutrality.

Comcast was caught "stacking" a public hearing last week in Boston with paid seat fillers, some who were apparently pretty sleepy. They were readily caught on film sound asleep. They were allowed early entrance so that when the general public arrived to voice their opinion, they were told that the facilities were full. Comcast is trying to block Internet access just like they tried to stop public access to this hearing.

The mainstream media, to no surprise, has not been covering this ongoing story. Log on to www.savetheinternet.com and voice your opinion. Don't let these giant Corporations make the choice for you on what you can view and when........