The SavetheInternet.com Coalition

[Santiago]

I came across a video today advertising the campaign to "Save The Internet" which I thought I would share.

Taken from the campaign website, www.savetheinternet.com,

Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the Internet's First Amendment -- a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most.

The SavetheInternet.com Coalition is a real grassroots alliance of organizations, citizens, businesses and bloggers that have banded together to protect Internet freedom.

The Coalition believes that the Internet is a crucial engine for economic growth and free speech. We are working together to urge Congress to preserve Network Neutrality, the First Amendment for the Internet that ensures that the Internet remains open to new ideas, innovation and progress.

From its beginnings, the Internet has leveled the playing field for all. Everyday people can have their voices heard by thousands, even millions of people. The SavetheInternet.com Coalition -- representing millions of Americans from all walks of life -- is working together to ensure that Congress passes no telecommunications legislation without meaningful and enforceable Network Neutrality protections.

From the site F.A.Q., some more detailed information regarding the issues at hand:

What is this about?

This is about Internet freedom. "Network Neutrality" -- the First Amendment of the Internet -- ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.

But Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are spending millions of dollars lobbying Congress to gut Net Neutrality. If Congress doesn't take action now to implement meaningful Net Neutrality provisions, the future of the Internet is at risk.

To learn more, read Network Neutrality: Fact vs. Fiction

What is Network Neutrality?

Network Neutrality — or "Net Neutrality" for short — is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.

Net Neutrality ensures that all users can access the content or run the applications and devices of their choice. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service. Net Neutrality prevents the companies that control the wires from discriminating against content based on its source or ownership.

Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It's why the Internet has become an unrivaled environment for open communications, civic involvement and free speech.

(The rest of the F.A.Q can be found here.)

If you live in the US, there is a petition to sign plus much information on how you can support and get involved with the campaign. There are currently 1,081,084 petition signatures.

Discuss!

[seperot]

Ugh This net neutrality thing has been going on for a few months now

It's bad enough that in america you have teliphone companys who have total control over certain areas of the country, and the fact that the companys stay back in slower internet connections ( I mean South Koriea shames you guys in connection speed ) but now they want to make it so they have even more control with goverment approval


I'd like to say this wont effect me cause im in england but unfortunatly it will :/

[Baldur]

It will affect the entire world. The local companies in every country will do their best once it's proved that you CAN corrupt the "wild" Internet.
Net Neutrality should be quite easy to win because so many practice it every day. Greed is another force to reckon though. 
I hope Sweden doesn't bite it's own tail and get too strict, the internet IS freedom. If we create a dictatorship what's left?

[Santiago]

I hope Sweden doesn't bite it's own tail and get too strict, the internet IS freedom. If we create a dictatorship what's left?

What is the legislation like in Sweden?

[Xordan]

ISP's already have a form of 'two-tier' internet. At least, they do in the UK. If you buy certain premium (usually office) packages then you get given Traffic Prioritisation by the network. Basically this means that you're guarenteed a higher (usually double for minimum speed) service. I see nothing wrong with this really, as long as the ISP isn't using it unfairly (i.e. not giving everyone the opportunity to use it).

[Baldur]

I hope Sweden doesn't bite it's own tail and get too strict, the internet IS freedom. If we create a dictatorship what's left?

What is the legislation like in Sweden?

We are beaurecratic in the least. The net is provided by the governement and the connection is shared among local companies.

...You're right, I worry too much.

@Xordan: I see a point in that but what if we become dependent on the companies? Companies aren't directly known for their trust in freedom. I'm thinking worst case scenario. There is a middle-state but it can quickly get grizzly.

[steuben]

baseline it is a money grab by the telecoms. basically they are wanting to be able to bill three times for each bit that they carry. one for when they receive it, once when they send it to you. and now they want to bill a third time to transport it?

quite the scam. no other industry lets you do that.

[Goldir]

I think the telecom companies already do this. If you misstype a domain name or web address, most ISP's now try to reroute you to garbage sites that pay for the service.  I am an english speaker using the english version of WinXP, but when I lived in South Korea, if I mistyped say www.goggle.com or if I tried to type a search term in my URL bar, it would automatically route me to daum.net, naver.co.kr, or some other korean search engine, even though google was designated as primary in my preferences.  The same happens a lot in the US.   

This petition has a lot of heart behind it, but unfortunately, it depends on how much the going rate is for a congressman nowadays.  I am sure we could all pool our funds for this and give a "campaign contribution" for a 5 day "business meeting" in Tahiti, but we would probably be outbid.  Who knows, there may be a couple trustworthy politicians left.  Like the sanitation supervisor of a remote villiage in Montana or Wyoming.

* Goldir slaps self to stop ranting.

All in all, I hope this doesn't happen, or users will have to make private networks just to keep from being force fed commercial garbage. 

Later everyone.