KEEPING THE INTERNET FREE AND ACCESSIBLE—The Internet as we know it is at risk because of recent Federal Communications Commission and Supreme Court decisions. Unless reversed, these decisions will allow the telephone and cable companies to decide who and what gets priority online.

Protect A Free And Open Internet
When we log on to the Internet, we take a lot of things for granted. We assume that everyone shares equal access to Web sites, and are able to freely utilize features such as online video, e-mail and podcasts, anytime we choose.

What makes all these assumptions possible is “network neutrality;” this is the guiding principle ensuring that the Internet remains free and unrestricted. It prevents network providers like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from discriminating against certain Web sites by charging different fees to different site owners based on the content of the Web site.

Until now, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has protected net neutrality and the Internet has flourished.

However, in August of 2005, the FCC decided to change the way it enforced rules dealing with the Internet at the request of phone and cable companies.

Consequently, there is no longer a rule or regulation that will prevent the phone and cable companies from carrying out their plan: charging content providers for the right to be on their Internet lines and making special deals with some companies to ensure that their sites and services are faster and easier to find.

To prevent these companies from setting up a discriminatory system on the Internet, congress must take action to preserve net neutrality.

Failure to preserve net neutrality would open the door to Internet service providers who wish to create a two-tiered Internet, with a “fast lane” accessible to only those who can afford to pay high fees to telephone and cable giants.

Meanwhile, small businesses, non-profit organizations, political candidates, and local governments would be consigned to the slow “lane.” Such a system would stifle the innovation that has brought us Google, Ebay, the blogosphere, instant messaging and so much more.

Without network neutrality rules, the Internet could be converted into a communication medium not unlike the cable TV platform.

In cable TV, the network owner decides what content and applications are available and at what quality of service they are displayed. Consumers are only allowed to select from the options made available.

By contrast, on the Internet, consumers are in control, deciding among all content, applications and services available anywhere on the Internet.

“We need Sens. Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson to support the enactment of an enforceable net neutrality rule that will ensure that the Internet remains open and accessible to all,” said Brad Ashwell, public interest advocate for Florida PIRG.