The telecoms are looking create a “two-tiered” internet, allowing them to charge and prioritize traffic passing over their lines. They believe it’s their right, as it’s their lines. Imagine going to Google, or your own favorite blog and having to wait, because sbc purposely delayed traffic going to those sites. This is a Bad Thing.
This is a rallying cry for for startups, technology companies, and the entire Bay Area. The Internet is the great equalizer. All voices can be heard, information is at the fingertips of anyone who can connect. Think about what a pay to play Internet means to everyone, especially you.
An amendment to the Communications, Promotion, & Enhancement Act of 2006 supporting Net Neutrality by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) was shot down by the House Energy and Commerce Committee – largely along party lines. This amendment would have allowed the FCC to prohibit discrimination of traffic over the Internet. Now, we have to pin hopes on the Senate. It’s up to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to get the ball rolling. Contact your Senator. Let them know you want a free and open Internet.
Here’s a Slate article that discusses this much more eloquently than I do.