Congress is poised to end network neutrality -- this is a bad thing!
2006-07-12 by David V
This is David Vesel. I am co-owner of <a href="http://www.cygnusradio.com">Cygnus Radio</a>. I have been on the Internet for 18 years, worked in the IT industry for 11 years, and have taught IT for the last 5 years. I am not given to hyperbole and I know an urban legend when I see it. This is not an urban legend, it is real, (verified true by Snopes.com, the Urban Legends Reference Pages) and it is important that anyone who uses the Internet to access alternative sources of media, entertainment, and news be aware of and act upon this very grave issue. The issue is network neutrality. Simply put, it means that all Internet traffic is treated the same. No net data is unfairly boosted up or slowed down. You get your Internet data the same as everyone else. We take this for granted. The Telecommunications Act is being overhauled, which happens every 10 years or so. The new version being worked on is the Stevens Telecommunication Act (S.2686). It's passed the House, and being battled in the Senate, and most people don't know a thing about it, or that they're even talking about it. One of the things the big telecom companies -- the ones who own the Internet infrastructure -- want to do is eliminate the net neutrality rules. Net neutrality means the same as the old "common carrier" rules of the phone system. All traffic is treated the same. Whether you're IBM or Bob's Computer Shop, Yahoo or a blog, Clear Channel Communications WXJQXQJZ superglobal radio or Cygnus Radio. They want the right to let customers pay more for higher priority on Internet delivery of their content. I'm sure to some of you it sounds reasonable, perhaps even fair. Which is why it's so dangerous and the threat to your Internet choices is so grave. What does this mean to you? Well, it means that: * If your ISP is AT&T and they have a deal with Yahoo, you'll get crappy connections to Google. The CEO of AT&T is on record saying that they should be able to do this. * If your ISP sells Internet phone service, they could cut off your ability to buy competing Internet phone service, such as Vonage. Shaw Communications in Canada is already doing this. * If you have a complaint with an ISP, they could block your ability to speak on it. AOL has already done this once, blocking e-mails that mentioned a web site critical of them. Telus Communications in Canada has already done this, blocking its employees' union's web site during a work dispute. It also means many sinister things that incumbent, moneyed media interests are just dying to have a crack at: * Microsoft could buy up enough "priority" to bring Linux web sites to a crawl. * Major news corporations could buy up enough "priority" to choke off political bloggers. * The music industry could buy up enough "priority" to choke off any music file type they didn't approve of (under the guise of "stopping illegal downloading" * Heck, not just little people. They could choke off your connection to Apple iTunes. * The broadcast industry could buy up enough "priority" to render Cygnus Radio and every other indie net radio station into a useless stuttering, buffering, lo-fi joke. This isn't an urban legend. It isn't a net rumor. It is a bill in Congress. It is the Stevens Telecommunications Act and if it passes, the Internet as we know it is in grave danger of becoming just another spoonfed blotch of pablum carefully prepared by the Fortune 500. Just like the record companies that make up the RIAA. Just like Clear Channel Communications and generica radio. Just like a big bunch of reasons why you're bothering to visit this web site in the first place. What can you do? First, get educated. Visit <a href="http://www.savetheinternet.com">http://www.savetheinternet.com</a>, the web site of a consortium of organizations who are trying to get this thing shot down. They're tracking the public stances of Senators, and it's splitting on party lines. Second, write or phone your Congresscritter. Tell them that you want the level playing field we have now and to modify the Stevens Telecommunications Act (S.2686) to make net neutrality permanent in law. A handwritten, snail-mailed letter is best, phone OK but not as good. E-mail is useless, don't bother e-mailing them. That's not how they track things. This is the only way to really influence your Congresscritter. Third, if your Senator is on the Senate Commerce Committee, further ask them to revive the Snowe-Dorgan Net Neutrality Amendment (S.2917). This would permanently enshrine in law the even playing field we now enjoy. Third, tell everyone you know who uses the Internet, and especially anyone who uses Linux, listens to net radio, or listens to music not catered to by the major labels. They, and you, have the most to lose from this. The Senate is our best shot at stopping this. It has already passed the House. It is real. It is not a rumor. It is not an urban legend. It is the Stevens Telecommunications Act, S. 2686. If you've never taken an action to contact your government before, now would be a great time to start. This issue matters to you as an Internet user. Sincerely yours, David L. Vessell (my real name) co-owner, <a href="http://www.cygnusradio.com">Cygnus Radio</a> owner, <a href="http://www.purplenote.com">Purple Note Multimedia</a> <a href="mailto:davidv@...">davidv@...</a> -- ----- DAVID VESEL -- synthetic music for humans http://davidv.purplenote.com porphyrous@... ----- The Purple Note Radio Network: Escape From Noise, vocal electronica, 10PM Sats http://efn.purplenote.com Spellbound, music for theremin, 11PM Suns http://spellbound.purplenote.com -----