Net Neutrality

Dear Friends,

Net neutrality is essentially the requirement that all internet service providers give all legal websites the same access.  Under net neutrality an ISP cannot make access to one site slower than to another site.  The FCC has been a supporter of net neutrality, but a recent Federal circuit court case jeopardizes the ability of the FCC to require net neutrality.  Here is the link to The New York Times article on the court decision.

Net neutrality is essential because the most obvious alternative would give the big ISP's the ability to sell speedy access to those that could afford it and to push people to related sites.  Given the huge concentration in media today, net neutrality would be a final nail in the coffin for an internet where ideas are easily and quickly exchanged and unbridled innovation can take place.

The Los Angeles Times in an editorial has suggested the best response to the court decision is for Congress to affirmatively grant the authority to the FCC that the court decision says it doesn't currently have.  (here) It argues correctly that because of the limited alternatives that any person has to get on the internet, market forces are not appropriate to solve the problem.  Government intervention is the right approach.

So President Obama has yet another important issue that he must address and work to get a dysfunctional Senate to deal with.  I hope that he takes up the cause because it is essential to have the communication and openness provided by the internet be available to all and not be a playing field slanted in favor of the already rich and powerful.

Thanks for reading and please comment,
The Unabashed Liberal