Net Neutrality Myths

There has been a deluge of misinformation on Net Neutrality (NN) published in the last few months. With a crucial vote scheduled for this week in the House, We hope you will look at the attached materials with an open mind and present both sides of this complex issue in your blog. The following are what we believe to be the Top 5 Myths surrounding NN:

The Top 5 Net Neutrality Myths

You can’t believe much of what you’ve read or heard about “Net Neutrality.” Unfortunately, there are numerous organizations running “campaigns” that seemingly rely on blatantly false and creatively misleading messages to influence opinion both outside and inside the beltway. (Consider MoveOn.org’s well-funded SaveTheInternet.com campaign as Exhibit A)

Myth #1: Providers want to censor your Internet access
The providers, such as cable companies and telcos, have said that with the advent of new technologies, they need to be able to provide what consumers demand, in many cases this is unfettered access to new video and high-bandwidth applications. This does not mean that any provider will censor content or sites, certainly the free market will abandon any ISP that censors their Web access, pure and simple.

Myth #2: Infrastructure providers are trying to control of the Internet
This defies logic. Providers have made huge investments in the infrastructure of the Internet, and want to ensure that as consumers’ demand for more access, higher-bandwidth, and broader applications, grows the infrastructure can grow with it.

Myth #3: Net Neutrality is something new and necessary
NN exists today. It is market and incentive driven. No one is trying to take it away. The FCC has full regulatory power to quickly investigate and stop any interference with the Net. Proposed Congressional legislation changes nothing. It leaves the Internet free of new government regulation and clear to continue its unprecedented growth and innovation.

Myth #4: NN is the Internet’s “First Amendment”
NN is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Proponents have dressed it up with fancy subtitles and shiny comparisons but NN imposes strict Government regulations on individuals and businesses alike. That’s certainly not what the first amendment is about.

Myth #5: Providers want a tiered Internet
The Internet is already tiered. You pay more for faster access from dial-up to DSL to broadband. The market allows consumers to decide what they will pay for that access and competition ensures market-based and sustainable pricing.

Attached documents for your inspection include the following:

• Net Neutrality Q&A

• Major Newspaper Editorials on Net Neutrality
• List of Letters Available on Request

In addition, we have collected letters from outside organizations, coalitions, Senators and Congressmen that are available on request. We will follow up on this information with you shortly to see if we can help further a more honest and open dialogue on the NN issue. We would be happy to set up a conference call on this issue to answer questions you might have.

The “Providers” have been demonized by the blogosphere with blatantly false information. If these weren’t already some of the most regulated industries in the country, this wouldn’t even be an issue. Bad policy is bad policy, whether you like the target or not.

Thank you for taking the time to present both sides of this complex issue.

[Jason Wright of the Internet Freedom Coalition]