Net Neutrality Act – Opinion

Want to see something funny? Want to see something scary? I’ve got a video that’ll do both for you…

The Internet Non-Discrimination Act of 2006 aka “Net Neutrality Act” (basically) seeks to allocate Internet bandwidth available to end-users and corporations according to a formula based upon who’s willing to pay the most and ~some kind~ of formula determining the general importance of the user. The altruistic goal is to leave bandwidth available for operations essential to American business and take bandwidth away from P2P networks, video pirates and other bandwidth hogs.

Summarized from an article on ZDNet, the Act’s key principles include:

• Preventing interfering with, blocking, degrading, altering, modifying or changing traffic on the Internet;
• Prohibiting creation of a priority lane where content providers can buy quicker access to customers, while those who don’t pay the fee are left in the slow lane;
• Allowing consumers to choose which devices they use to connect to the Internet while they are on the Internet;
• Ensuring that consumers have non-discriminatory access and service;
• Having a transparent system whereby consumers, Internet content, and applications companies have access to the rates, terms, and conditions for Internet service.

BUT, what the Act is shaping up to be is a formula for rewarding corporations (with lobbyists) more bandwidth, leaving the rest of us with a regulated, limited pipeline. I support the current administration, but I think the wrong people are in power on both sides of the aisle when it comes to this issue. I’ll save a more extended diatribe for later but The Daily Show with Jon Stuart had an hilarious (and frightening) peek into how this process is going – I thought I’d post a link to it for visitors to view. [Video]

What do you think? Visit SaveTheInternet.com for more information.
[tags]Net Neutrality Act,Internet bandwidth[/tags]