Monday, July 17, 2017

Net Neutrality: Be Informed

In keeping with the reason I created this news blog, I am including information about Net Neutrality, which is coming to the forefront, once again, as an issue worth take note of. If you are going to form an opinion for or against Net Neutrality, then it is best to get all the information you can find. This should get you started:

The FCC Needs Your Quality Comments About Net Neutrality Today
TechDirt.com
July 17, 2017

Today is the deadline for the first round of the FCC's comment period on its attempt to roll back the 2015 open internet "net neutrality" rules. The deadline is partly meaningless, because there's a second comment period that is technically to respond to earlier comments -- but allows you to just file more comments. However, it is still important to make your voice heard no matter which side you're on. We'll be posting our own comments later today, but first, we wanted to share Mike Godwin's thoughtful discussion on why you should comment and why you should provide a thoughtful, careful "quality" comment, which he first posted to the R-Street blog, but which is being cross posted here.
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Net Neutrality Is A Poor Solution To The Wrong Problem
Forbes
July 16, 2017

It appears likely the Federal Communications Commission is going to modify its stance on net neutrality, issuing new rules that will allow some actions opposed by advocates of net neutrality. At the simplest level, the forthcoming rules supposedly will allow internet service providers to accept payment from content providers for faster delivery and potentially even allow throttling or complete denial of access. This is progress. Net neutrality is bad policy and would be unnecessary if the FCC addressed the real problem: local governments overcharging for their right-of-way.
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Doyle Supports Net Neutrality
Mike Doyle (D-PA, 14th)
July 12, 2017

“The American People have spoken out loud and clear in support of Net Neutrality - more than 6.5 million people have filed comments with the FCC so far this year. They support the current Net Neutrality rules, which protect consumers, small businesses, and edge providers looking to provide innovative and competitive new services. They deserve to have their views respected by the federal government.
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FCC chair Ajit Pai explains why he wants to scrap net neutrality
PBS Newshour
April 27, 2017

A political fight is brewing about access to the Internet. The new head of the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, wants to clear away regulations about who controls and polices the flow of content on the Internet.
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Am I The Only Techie Against Net Neutrality?
Forbes
MAY 14, 2014

If you watch the news, it seems just about everyone is in favor of “Net Neutrality” legislation. Despite being a tech-addicted entrepreneur, I am not. No, I am not a paid shill for the cable industry. I am no fan of Comcast or any other ISP I’ve ever had the "pleasure" of dealing with. I’m skeptical of large corporations generally and dislike the fact that in this debate I appear to be on their side. While I have no problem with net neutrality as a principle or concept, I have serious concerns about Net Neutrality as legislation or public policy. And since a false dichotomy is being perpetuated by the media in regards to this matter, I feel an obligation to put forth a third point of view. In taking this stand, I realize I may be the only techie, if I can aspire to that label, opposed to Net Neutrality and that I open myself to accusations of killing the dreams of young entrepreneurs, wrecking free speech, and destroying the Internet. Nevertheless, here are three reasons I’m against Net Neutrality legislation.
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Major tech firms urge U.S. to retain net neutrality rules
Reuters
July 17, 2017

A group representing major technology firms including Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) and Facebook Inc (FB.O) urged the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Monday to abandon plans to reverse the landmark 2015 rules barring internet service providers from blocking or slowing consumer access to web content.
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I wsas unable to find a song against Net Neutrality, or I would have included it here as well. Enjoy!