What is this about?
Bloggers Unite! This is about Internet freedom. “Network Neutrality” — the First Amendment of the Internet — ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.
But Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are spending millions of dollars lobbying Congress to gut Net Neutrality. If Congress doesn’t take action now to implement meaningful network neutrality provisions, the future of the Internet is at risk. More info at http://www.savetheinternet.com/
What is network neutrality?
Network Neutrality — or “Net Neutrality” for short — is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.
Net Neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. With Net Neutrality, the network’s only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.
Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It’s why the Internet has become an unrivaled environment for open communications, civic involvement and free speech.
Who wants to get rid of Net Neutrality?
The nation’s largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won’t load at all.
They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors.
These companies have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of an even playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those from big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.
More info and how you can take action at http://www.savetheinternet.com/
Just trying to get the word out that “Keeping the Internet a Level Playing Field”, aka Net Neutrality, is not just a big picture national issue. You can do more than just signing an online petition.
I am asking people to get involved locally. AT&T and Verizon are going from town to town across the country trying to get approval from local governments to operate a cable TV franchise. This process involves public hearings and public input. I am asking people to get involved locally and ask questions about Net Neutrality at these hearings.
Make this a local issue and it will grow as a grass roots issue; doing this will have an impact on the national discussion.
You can find out what I am doing in my small Jersey town by clicking over to my simple blog at http://www.redbantv.org
Thanks — Tom