Network neutrality and the future of the Internet

Posted by Eric Stein - May 26, 2006 CE @ 20:38:31 UTC
At the present time, ISPs are generally well behaved. You give them money and they provide a reasonably reliable and fast network connection to the Internet. Using this connection, you can send and recieve packets. All packets are created equal.

Now, a group of ISPs want to make some packets more equal than others. With the laws they are pushing for, ISPs will be allowed to legally extort any online service (this will impact more than the web, remember!) for extra money.

Network neutrality requires that the common carrier rules be applied to public access IP networks. The supporters of Internet network neutrality include Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, and last but not least one of the pioneers of the Internet, Vinton Cerf.

People who care about the online first amendment rights should find out more at save the Internet and sign the petition.

Yesterday, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act (HR 5417). This is great news, but the future of network neutrality remains uncertain.

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