The End of the Internet? Net Neutrality Threatened by Cable, Telecom Interests

Both Congress and the FCC are currently considering a number of proposals that will have far-reaching implications on the way the Internet works and the vital concept of net neutrality - universal and non-discriminatory to the Internet - is at risk. We speak with Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital Democracy. We continue with Part II of our look at the future of the Internet. Both Congress and the FCC are currently considering a number of proposals that will have far-reaching implications on the way the Internet works.

The vital issue at stake is something called "net neutrality" - it is the concept that that everyone, everywhere, should have free, universal and non-discriminatory access to all the Internet has to offer.

But last week the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications rejected an amendment to a telecommunications overhaul bill that would have strengthened provisions for net neutrality. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 28 to 8. The six Democrats who voted against it were Eliot Engel, Bart Stupak, Ed Towns, Al Wynn, Charlie Gonzales and Bobby Rush.

The principle of net neutrality has come under attack from cable and telephone companies which provide over 90 percent of all high-speed Internet service in the United States.

Phone and cable lobbyists are calling on the federal government to permit them to operate Internet and other digital communications services as private networks, free of policy safeguards or governmental oversight. They have poured millions of dollars into ad campaigns to promote their cause. Here's one example:

* Advertisement by the United States Telecom Association.

With these so-called "updated" laws, broadband providers are looking to use new networking technologies to charge fees for almost every online transaction. Some companies have already announced plans to to impose fees on a sliding scale,

For example, America Online is adopting a new system called "CertifiedEmail," where giant emailers could pay AOL a fee for preferential service, effectively creating a two-tiered Internet . This so-called "email-tax" would guarantee that messages from affluent customers would bypass spam filters and go directly to AOL members" inboxes. Those who did not pay the fee could increasingly be left behind with unreliable service.

The effects of preferential control over the Internet may already be coming to bear. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, America Online has blocked delivery to its customers of all emails that include a link to a website called DearAOL.com, which is critical of its CertifiedEmail system.

* Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. He wrote an article in the Nation Magazine titled "The End of the Internet?" http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20060213&s=chester

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