Hello all,
For a while I have been thinking about posting this here but didn't because it might violate the forum's no-politics rule. But after thinking about this for a while, I think that this needs to be discussed because:
The issue is widely known as "Net Neutrality" and you can find out about it more here.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/=faq
The reason this is important for everyone here is because up until now everyone has equal access to the internet -- to buy and to sell. Just imagine what would happen if the Telecoms/ISPs succeed in their push to become free from being neutral.
The most affected by this would be:
Small businesses -- The little guy will be left in the "slow lane" with inferior Internet service, unable to compete.
Innovators with the next big idea -- Startups and entrepreneurs will be muscled out of the marketplace by big corporations that pay Internet providers for the top spots on the Web.
Bloggers -- Costs will skyrocket to post and share video and audio clips -- silencing citizen journalists and putting more power in the hands of a few corporate-owned media outlets.
Google users -- Another search engine could pay dominant Internet providers like AT&T to guarantee another search engine opens faster than Google on your computer.
Ipod listeners -- A company like Comcast could slow access to iTunes, steering you to a higher-priced music service it owns.
Online shoppers -- Companies could pay Internet providers to guarantee their online sales process faster than competitors with lower prices -- distorting your choices as a consumer.
Telecommuters -- When Internet companies like AT&T favor their own services, you won't be able to choose more affordable providers for online video, teleconferencing, Internet phone calls, and software that connects your home computer to your office.
Parents and retirees -- Your choices as a consumer could be controlled by your Internet provider, steering you to their preferred services for online banking, health care information, sending photos, planning vacations, etc.
Political groups -- Political organizing could be slowed by a handful of dominant Internet providers who ask advocacy groups to pay "protection money" for their Web sites and online features to work correctly.
Nonprofits -- A charity's website could open at snail-like speeds, and online contributions could grind to a halt if nonprofits don't pay Internet providers for access to "the fast lane."
Source: http://www.savetheinternet.com/=threat#examples
On Feb 12 th of 2008 a bill “Internet Freedom Preservation Act 2008†(HR 5353) was introduced by Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.).
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3268&Itemid=141
Currently the FCC is reviewing this issue and if you believe that the internet should remain neutral and should be available to each and one of us without discrimination, I ask you to let them know how you feel by clicking the below link.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/comcast.php/#1
Sincerely,
For a while I have been thinking about posting this here but didn't because it might violate the forum's no-politics rule. But after thinking about this for a while, I think that this needs to be discussed because:
- It affects a majority of people that visit this board.
- Most people haven't heard about it.
The issue is widely known as "Net Neutrality" and you can find out about it more here.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/=faq
The reason this is important for everyone here is because up until now everyone has equal access to the internet -- to buy and to sell. Just imagine what would happen if the Telecoms/ISPs succeed in their push to become free from being neutral.
The most affected by this would be:
Small businesses -- The little guy will be left in the "slow lane" with inferior Internet service, unable to compete.
Innovators with the next big idea -- Startups and entrepreneurs will be muscled out of the marketplace by big corporations that pay Internet providers for the top spots on the Web.
Bloggers -- Costs will skyrocket to post and share video and audio clips -- silencing citizen journalists and putting more power in the hands of a few corporate-owned media outlets.
Google users -- Another search engine could pay dominant Internet providers like AT&T to guarantee another search engine opens faster than Google on your computer.
Ipod listeners -- A company like Comcast could slow access to iTunes, steering you to a higher-priced music service it owns.
Online shoppers -- Companies could pay Internet providers to guarantee their online sales process faster than competitors with lower prices -- distorting your choices as a consumer.
Telecommuters -- When Internet companies like AT&T favor their own services, you won't be able to choose more affordable providers for online video, teleconferencing, Internet phone calls, and software that connects your home computer to your office.
Parents and retirees -- Your choices as a consumer could be controlled by your Internet provider, steering you to their preferred services for online banking, health care information, sending photos, planning vacations, etc.
Political groups -- Political organizing could be slowed by a handful of dominant Internet providers who ask advocacy groups to pay "protection money" for their Web sites and online features to work correctly.
Nonprofits -- A charity's website could open at snail-like speeds, and online contributions could grind to a halt if nonprofits don't pay Internet providers for access to "the fast lane."
On Feb 12 th of 2008 a bill “Internet Freedom Preservation Act 2008†(HR 5353) was introduced by Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.).
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3268&Itemid=141
Currently the FCC is reviewing this issue and if you believe that the internet should remain neutral and should be available to each and one of us without discrimination, I ask you to let them know how you feel by clicking the below link.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/comcast.php/#1
Sincerely,
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