Internet Neutrality vote coming up next week

[BrokenVisage]

I saw this over at SA. Guys this is huge, next week congress will vote on the net neutrality bill. Support this bill it will keep the internet free. If this is not done control of the internet will be handed over to large telco providers and they can start charging for quality of service. Google as written an open letter about this.

The Internet as we know it is facing a serious threat. There's a debate heating up in Washington, DC on something called "net neutrality" ? and it's a debate that's so important Google is asking you to get involved. We're asking you to take action to protect Internet freedom.

In the next few days, the House of Representatives is going to vote on a bill that would fundamentally alter the Internet. That bill, and one that may come up for a key vote in the Senate in the next few weeks, would give the big phone and cable companies the power to pick and choose what you will be able to see and do on the Internet.

Today the Internet is an information highway where anybody ? no matter how large or small, how traditional or unconventional ? has equal access. But the phone and cable monopolies, who control almost all Internet access, want the power to choose who gets access to high-speed lanes and whose content gets seen first and fastest. They want to build a two-tiered system and block the on-ramps for those who can't pay.

So please, visit this website and sign the petition to try and stop this bill in congress. It's our duty to try and keep the Internet free for future generations as well as our own.

You can also go here: http://thomas.loc.gov/ and search for H.R. 5273 to see the full text of the bill.

Another side of the story:

Originally posted by: Jawo
An interesting article on this topic: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/Ou/?p=242.

Article Cliff's:
Internet is already tiered (56k vs DSL vs Cable vs T1 vs etc) You get what you paid for
FCC already fined a company that tried to outright block Vonage
VOIP and Games have priority over regular webpages for they need low latency but use low bandwidth (~40 kbps)
Any ISP who blocks Google/AOL etc will probably lose business

 

[733SHiFTY]

/signed

 

[Trogdor91]

Done and done.

 

[733SHiFTY]

sticky?

 

[EGGO]

I remember hearing about this. I signed, I already know all about it.

 

[Spineshank]

signed

 

[Feldenak]

Signed and sent

 

[middlehead]

Is this just an online petition, or is this one of those form sites that send emails to 'your' congressmen based on your zipcode?


*marked for when I get home*

 

[xarmian]

Done. and bump.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Where did you find that letter?

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: middlehead
Is this just an online petition, or is this one of those form sites that send emails to 'your' congressmen based on your zipcode?


*marked for when I get home*

Form letter to your Congressmen based on ZIP. If it was an online petition I wouldn't bother signing it.

 

[xarmian]

Originally posted by: middlehead
Is this just an online petition, or is this one of those form sites that send emails to 'your' congressmen based on your zipcode?


*marked for when I get home*

Form that sends email.. to both your senators and your congressman.. It picked my accurately, and took 15 seconds.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: middlehead
Is this just an online petition, or is this one of those form sites that send emails to 'your' congressmen based on your zipcode?


*marked for when I get home*

It sends the e-mail

EDIT: SENT

 

[Aharami]

done, done, and done

 

[Aharami]

lets keep this at the top guys. petition for sticky

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Done.

 

[DaWhim]

we need a sticky

 

[saxophonoia]

Done.

 

[EarthwormJim]

Keep this at the top!

 

[mugs]

Given that Google has a vested financial interest in this bill, I wouldn't look to them for an unbiased opinion.

 

[yobarman]

signed!

 

[jEnus]

STICKY REQUEST

 

[Minjin]

Folks, if you really care about the issue, research it a bit, come to an informed decision, and notify your congressperson by phone or mail. Email and any online petition is a complete waste of time.

Mark

 

[yowolabi]

Wth? One of my congressmen doesn't accept emails. I guess i'll have to utilize his fax numbet then.

 

[hypn0tik]

I'm in Canada. Will it affect me in some shape or form?