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John,
Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs), such as Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T, must treat all content that streams through them the same way: no “fast lanes” or “slow lanes,” no censorship or “throttling” of content, no blocking access to or charging more for accessing competitors’ content.
Under President Obama, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted the Open Internet Order, establishing strong regulatory oversight to protect net neutrality. But in 2015, President Trump’s FCC Chair repealed the entire order, so corporate ISPs once again became the final arbiters of the flow of information on the internet.
Now under President Biden, the FCC is again moving forward to promote net neutrality. But telecom lobbyists are already working hard to convince the FCC to leave corporate ISPs in charge of deciding what we, the people, will and will not be able to access online.
Help us to restore net neutrality! Make your comments today, urging the FCC and Congress to reverse Trump’s evisceration of internet protections.
Net neutrality provides important benefits to consumers while regulating what ISPs and broadband providers are able to control. These regulations help create an equal playing field for users. They protect freedom of expression, as any legal forms of expression are permitted. And they prevent ISPs from blocking content they disagree with politically.
Net neutrality gives businesses equal opportunities to innovate and to reach clients. Startups have the same access to consumers, investors, and services as established Fortune 500 companies. This also improves competition, helping businesses expand and grow from the same footing.
By classifying ISPs as utility providers, the FCC can regulate them, and guarantee accessibility to everyone. Providers can’t increase fees arbitrarily for certain services or certain speeds. They can’t charge more, for example, for consumers to use Netflix or Google.
Meanwhile, under the neutrality regulations, criminal activities and fake news can be more easily monitored and removed. Illegal activities such as buying and selling drugs or soliciting sex can be regulated and prohibited, and harmful disinformation can be eliminated. Without net neutrality protections, ISPs would be the sole determinants of whether or not any particular content is made available.
The question basically comes down to, who regulates the internet, consumers or corporate broadband providers? Make your comments today. Urge the FCC and Congress to restore net neutrality now!
Thank you for fighting for the free exchange of ideas online!
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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