Do we have Net Neutrality - for how long?

I was quite surprised to learn that net neutrality was about “saving the internet”. I found the most interesting reading on www.savetheinternet.com and also on the FCC website. According to savetheinternet.com, “there was a huge lawsuit involving Comcast blocking Bit Torrent traffic to ease network congestion prompting complaints from consumer advocacy groups”.  Other ISP's could also block whatever they felt was slowing down service with no laws in effect to regulate this.

I believe that this is censoring our Freedom of Speech.  It’s almost like “Big Brother” watching over what we’re using and blocking competitors. These very large ISP's can block or slow down certain websites as they see fit.  I did find that the FCC adopted rules that went into In November 2011 for "An Open Internet" as described here:

• "Transparency. Broadband providers must disclose information regarding their network management practices, performance, and the commercial terms of their broadband services."
• "No blocking. Fixed broadband providers (such as DSL, cable modem, or fixed wireless providers) may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices. Mobile broadband providers may not block lawful websites, or applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services."
• "No unreasonable discrimination. Fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service. Unreasonable discrimination of network traffic could take the form of particular services or websites appearing slower or degraded in quality."

There are several companies including Verizon and Metro PCS who are suing the FCC over these rules.  They have the backing of the Republican Party who is trying to get this ruling reversed.  If the Democrats lose the majority this fall, this law will probably be reversed. 

I don’t believe that we should have to worry about providers limiting what or where we want to go on the internet. I hope that we can keep this law in effect. Write a letter to Congress!

References:

Downloaded from the internet 1/29/2012, http://www.fcc.gov/topic/open-internet#rules

Downloaded from the internet 1/29/2012, www.savetheinternet.com