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Protect neutrality of the Net

Internet users take it for granted that once they've paid a service provider - usually their phone or cable television company - they have unrestrained access to whatever they want in the vast electronic universe. Soon, telecommunications law won't guarantee it, however, which is why the issue dubbed "Net neutrality" is being hotly contested in Congress.

Without lawmakers fixing the problem, here is what could happen: The big phone and cable companies could try to make content providers both large and small - from Yahoo and voice-over-Internet phone services to the latest blog - pay more for high-speed access to their services. That would stifle creativity at the very least, and possibly make certain Web sites noncompetitive or unavailable to Internet users.

Phone and cable companies, who control the broadband wires into most houses, could gain an unfair advantage. They could use their newfound power to promote their own content. Under the worst scenario, a few big players could transform the Internet from an unruly but vibrant democracy into a dictatorship.

The phone and cable companies deny that's their intention. However, there have been some abuses already. Last year, a rural phone company blocked its broadband customers from using that service to make phone calls over the Internet, a low-cost alternative to the phone company. And a Canadian phone company blocked its users from accessing a Web site that was sympathetic to the union during a labor dispute.

Bills in both the House and Senate would stop such potential threats. One bill (HB 5417) cleared the House Judiciary Committee recently and could be up for a full vote soon. It would make it "unlawful for an Internet service provider to block, impair or discriminate against any lawful Internet content or applications," according to Common Cause.

Such issues are understandably boring to most Internet users. Yet broadband access has become a vital link in our economic and social lives. It is time to pay attention and to urge members of Congress to protect Net neutrality.

[Last modified June 6, 2006, 06:32:08]