Corporations Threaten Net' Neutrality

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   For better or worse, I spend a lot of time on the Internet. Though I entertain a fair share of complaints regarding the medium, I think the positive far outweighs the negative.

   One of the most attractive characteristics of the Internet continues to be its ability to remain free and fair. The Internet offers everyone a chance at success, an equal opportunity. Anyone can buy a server, design a Web site, start a blog, etc. On the Internet, much like in college, if you work hard, you will succeed. Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, termed this as “Network Neutrality.”

   Unfortunately, congress continues to champion a law that would renounce the Internet’s First Amendment rights. Telecommunication juggernauts such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast maintain interests in charging companies for special privileges. They wish to completely reverse Net’ Neutrality. Basically, they want an elite group of companies controlling everything – and making all the money.

   Surely no one will dispute my claim that if large companies only offer network privileges to those people with money and power, bad things will happen – very bad things. Such abuse of power would limit your options on the Web and hinder the spread of fresh ideas across the Internet. It would set the clock back on the digital revolution.

   If Net’ Neutrality ceased to exist, a number of freedoms we appreciate, but take for granted, would soon disappear. For instance, Internet service providers could potentially slow access to certain Web sites while increasing the speed to others that pay them more. Costs to post any sort of media could surge, paralyzing the average blogger.

   Small businesses looking to get their foot in the door via the Web would be forced out of the marketplace due to the richer, more powerful companies buying up all the space and bandwidth. The average Web surfer would be stuck using a slow connection, and even the thought of creating a personal site would be unfathomable.

   Information networks should be neutral, and the government should be allowed to intervene to maintain that neutrality. If you appreciate the freedoms the Internet allows in its current state, contact your elected officials and let them know you support Net' Neutrality. Help keep the Internet not only neutral, but fair and free.