The Federal Communications Commission faces public and industry push-back against its most recent proposal regarding net neutrality and equal access to Internet services.
A trade group is making a public appeal to the FCC to consider more fair access and less censorship to the Internet as a major public infrastructure.
The Internet Association represents 36 large tech companies including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Netflix, PayPal and Twitter. The industry group is asking (PDF) that federal regulators keep the Internet open, free from price gatekeeping from Internet service providers (ISPs). "Our members realize that only an open and neutral Internet can create and sustain the benefits that the Internet has introduced for all stakeholders," their response says.
The FCC website has an email link for public comments on the net neutrality issue, where several legal and open Internet advocates and others have posted comments on the issue.
According to one recent report, the Internet Association filed its own comments on July 14. In its response to the FCC net neutrality proposal from May that allows ISPs to offer faster service for websites, the trade group said the government should not allow for fast or slow tiered service. The deadline for the comment period ends July 15.
The Internet Association was not the only advocate. Many other public comments are posted.
"The government and the associated regulatory agencies of the government exist to benefit the well-being of the human citizens that they serve. The laws and regulations enacted by the governing bodies of this country should not squelch the voice, welfare, and freedom of those whom they serve. Any regulation that would allow soulless, noncitizen corporations to monetarily benefit at the expense of the lawful citizens whom the government serves should not be enacted," said Michael W. Derington, CPA.
"Net Neutrality provides the citizens of the United States America one of the few avenues available to have an equal voice and freedom. Ending Net Neutrality would be a regressive move that further divides our country and would be a clear indication that the government and the regulatory agencies of the government value the voices and freedom more of the wealthy and elite than of the common citizen. Do not blemish the reputation of the government and our country by further defining the citizens whom the government serves into different classes defined by wealth. Maintain Net Neutrality."
One report noted how the trade group is opposed to the "fast lanes and slow lanes" that could be imposed by ISPs, who compete to deliver content of their own. They say it would "distort the market, discourage innovation and harm Internet users."
In addition to several public and industry group comments demanding net neutrality, Netflix made its own appeal in March, stating that ISPs would drive up prices for everyone if something wasn't done to ensure net neutrality. As one report points out, the debate on net neutrality has fired up after a federal appeals court in January overturned prior neutrality rules.
