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Phone And Cable Companies Vie For Internet Regulations
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Published: September 27, 2006
The Internet has long been labeled the information highway. It has been viewed as a digital democracy because it provides free and easy access to information for people all around the globe.
The Internet also has operated as a neutral medium in that it supports the free and independent flow of ideas and provides a forum where all voices are equal. Yet, the information highway is in danger of building regulation tolls within the United States. Major telephone and cable companies want to transform the currently-free Internet into a privately-run service charging fees for all on-line services.
Major telephone and cable companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Bell and Comcast are currently trying to pass a bill called Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act. In this bill, these companies are basically asking the federal government to permit them to operate the Internet and other digital communication services as private networks free of policy safeguards and government regulation.
These telephone and cable companies own the vast majority of broadband access to the Internet. They essentially want to charge consumers for access and charge content providers for using their broadband connections to deliver this access. They also want to implement new subscription plans further limiting the current online experience. The subscription plans are designed to establish different levels of Internet access. The prices and levels to Internet access would be based on the speed and reliability in which content is delivered.
The proposed bill would create price discrimination and destroy net neutrality with profit-driven regulations. Internet services would no longer be equal and quality service for both consumers and content providers would be determined by rate they are willing to pay. This price discrimination could lead to some communities and businesses being left with inferior services, higher cable prices and even loss of service.
Price discrimination also would lead to the loss of net neutrality. Net neutrality has long been the guideline the Internet has operated under in which all users are ensured equal access to content and speed. However, the bill the telecommunication companies are pushing to pass would no longer provide free, equal and open access to the Internet. Instead, these companies would have control over what content can be viewed and what online services can be used.
There is still time to prevent telecommunication companies' proposed changes to Internet regulation from passing. The Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act did not provide an effective policy on Internet neutrality.
A grass root organization called Save the Internet has been campaigning against the bill. This organization includes more than one million individuals, more than 6,000 bloggers and more than 700 groups. These groups range in the political spectrum from organizations such as Moveon.org, the American Library Association and Democracy in Action to the Christian Coalition of America and Gun Owners of America.
This organization and a few others have persuaded some senators to propose an amendment to the bill addressing Internet neutrality. On June 28, 2006, the Senate Commerce Committee voted on the proposed amendment and it failed in an 11-11 tie. However, this vote is not a complete defeat. Senator Wyden has put a hold on the bill until it includes clear rules regarding non-discriminating Internet access. As a result, more organizations and American citizen have an opportunity to campaign against the bill by alerting their representatives.
The Internet also has operated as a neutral medium in that it supports the free and independent flow of ideas and provides a forum where all voices are equal. Yet, the information highway is in danger of building regulation tolls within the United States. Major telephone and cable companies want to transform the currently-free Internet into a privately-run service charging fees for all on-line services.
Major telephone and cable companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Bell and Comcast are currently trying to pass a bill called Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act. In this bill, these companies are basically asking the federal government to permit them to operate the Internet and other digital communication services as private networks free of policy safeguards and government regulation.
These telephone and cable companies own the vast majority of broadband access to the Internet. They essentially want to charge consumers for access and charge content providers for using their broadband connections to deliver this access. They also want to implement new subscription plans further limiting the current online experience. The subscription plans are designed to establish different levels of Internet access. The prices and levels to Internet access would be based on the speed and reliability in which content is delivered.
The proposed bill would create price discrimination and destroy net neutrality with profit-driven regulations. Internet services would no longer be equal and quality service for both consumers and content providers would be determined by rate they are willing to pay. This price discrimination could lead to some communities and businesses being left with inferior services, higher cable prices and even loss of service.
Price discrimination also would lead to the loss of net neutrality. Net neutrality has long been the guideline the Internet has operated under in which all users are ensured equal access to content and speed. However, the bill the telecommunication companies are pushing to pass would no longer provide free, equal and open access to the Internet. Instead, these companies would have control over what content can be viewed and what online services can be used.
There is still time to prevent telecommunication companies' proposed changes to Internet regulation from passing. The Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act did not provide an effective policy on Internet neutrality.
A grass root organization called Save the Internet has been campaigning against the bill. This organization includes more than one million individuals, more than 6,000 bloggers and more than 700 groups. These groups range in the political spectrum from organizations such as Moveon.org, the American Library Association and Democracy in Action to the Christian Coalition of America and Gun Owners of America.
This organization and a few others have persuaded some senators to propose an amendment to the bill addressing Internet neutrality. On June 28, 2006, the Senate Commerce Committee voted on the proposed amendment and it failed in an 11-11 tie. However, this vote is not a complete defeat. Senator Wyden has put a hold on the bill until it includes clear rules regarding non-discriminating Internet access. As a result, more organizations and American citizen have an opportunity to campaign against the bill by alerting their representatives.
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