Net Neutrality, Why Should You Care?

from http://ridavio.com/
Currently we live with net neutrality, so there is no perception of real danger. You pay an internet service provider for access and the content you post is available to viewers who are accessing the internet with competing providers. There have only been a few isolated incidents to date where providers blocked access to content, explaining in one case it was to free up bandwidth. Yet the technology exists to restrict access and as panelist, Michael Livermore maintains, the major broadband providers are fighting very hard for the right to do so, while maintaining they have no intention of carrying through on it.

As panelist Tim Karr of Free Press stated, the market is ruled by duopolies and in some cases monopolies that are only growing larger as the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal indicates. We already pay higher prices to access broadband in this country than in similar markets overseas. The United States ranks 14th among industrialized countries in availability to high speed internet connections on a per capita basis.

Panelist Kris Rios with People's Production House explained how the digital divide is hurting individuals in low-income communities and rural areas where large providers have less economic incentive to provide access.

As a consumer who relies on the internet for your life and work as much as you might rely on your public utility for water and electricity you may want to stay current on the National Broadband Plan that is currently in the works, and the organizations that are advocating on behalf of consumer access.

The video clip contains excerpts from the panelists. The full show will air soon on Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

See also: http://mnn.org/
http://www.media-democracy.net/
http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://policyintegrity.org/
http://www.peoplesproductionhouse.org/
http://www.voterbook.com/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• net
• neutrality
• save
• the
• internet
• online
• democracy
• consumer
• protection

[jeabo0adhd]

The Government does not own the Internet. If they take control of it, then they are stealing. Free Speech has been around for 200 years. It has been tried and it works very well.