The Internet is No Longer Safe from Control

For a while now I have been hearing about this battle to remove a rule called Network Neutrality which simply states that all internet service and communication companies must provide the same quality level of service to ALL of their customer. Well apparently large conglomerate telecommunication companies are trying to lobby to get this rule removed. Why is it a big deal you ask? Well let me back track a bit...

Do you ever go into BestBuy and see the spacial display aisle that is labeled "New Releases" or "Popular Releases"? Have you ever gone in there looking for an album or a dvd that has been released that day but its not on either of the aisles? There is a reason for it. The marketing company for that album or dvd did not pay BestBuy enough to put it in that area so they shelve it with the regular goods. The same goes for MTV, Barnes and Noble, Borders Bookstore and any company that sells a products. Items are placed on display NOT because the items are good or they are truly popular based on customer sales, but how big the marketing budget is for that product. They have to PAY for the eye catching space.

So how does this relate to Network Neutrality? Well think about. This law allows all customers to have equal level of service, and on the internet we are talking about bandwidth. Now if the rule is removed, telecommunication providers like AT&T or SPC can CHOOSE who they provide better service to base on who pays them more. It tiers the system so that those with more money and can afford to pay more for the bandwidth, their sites can run faster. And for those site that can't afford to pay more, then they would be left with junk shitty bandwidth that will leave you crawling like a snail. Further more, the websites and services that you enjoy for free (Blogger, gmail, yahoo, Myspace) would basically be no longer be for free because they would have to pay more to support the bandwidth thus they would charge the user to support the costs.

Get it?

Do you want your internet to become like MTV?

I don't think so.

Wanna read more and see what the fuss is about, Google has LOT for you to read.

If you want to do something about it, sign this petition. Sure, its not a guarantee that it will save the internet but at least your voice should be heard if you are against this.

Spread the word to save the internet.