Here is a post that succinctly describes what’s at stake regarding the issue of Net Neutrality and what we all can do to make sure the internet remains free to all.
This Wednesday September 10 is “Internet Slowdown” day. It’s a day of global protest to draw attention to the fact that the USA’s Federal Communication Commission is considering internet rules that would provide “fast lanes” for those who can pay (i.e. big commercial entities) and cow paths for the rest of us. Just FYI:
- The head of the FCC proposed this rule change. He is a former lobbyist for the cellular and cable industry (the same folks who will be charging more money for the fast lanes).
- Over 800,000 comments have been filed with the FCC, and 99% of those comments oppose this rule change.
- Get up to speed (no pun intended) here, then
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Eliza Waters 
Thanks for reblogging this, Eliza. More people need to learn and understand the implications of what’s going on. When Comcast held Netflix hostage over bandwidth, that opened the floodgates for other cable companies to go after other bandwidth-intensive services. Netflix isn’t (and won’t be) the last company targeted. It was like looking into the future and not seeing a very good picture.
The problem is that most ISPs are also cable providers. As more people cancel their cable services, throw out their TVs, and turn to the internet, these companies are losing their cash-cow revenue stream. To make it up, they’re going after their internet customers.
Time Warner just started charging a “lease” fee for their cable modems late last year. It’s only five bucks a month, but multiply that by 150,000 subscribers per service area. It doesn’t make up losing cable customers, but they’re trying to recoup their revenue however they can.
In the end, it would be Netflix who covers the “hostage” fee charged to them by these cable companies. They’ll pay it in the beginning, but eventually that cost will be passed along to the customer. It always is. And, of course, Netflix will lose customers as a result of higher fees.
Here’s an article on the FCC chairman about this whole mess that’s gathering strength.
http://www.infoworld.com/t/internet/fcc-chairman-steps-citizens-competition-and-better-internet-249791?source=IFWNLE_techbrief_2014-09-05
Thanks, Michael. It is a pretty big deal and the outcome will affect us all. No burying one’s head in the sand with this one!
Paying for the fast lanes? No. It’s bad enough I have to learn where they are. I’ll be glad to shut down if it will make a statement! Love your photo image too.