Net Neutrality: It’s a good thing

We’re proud to join a growing crowd of tech companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter in supporting and restoring Net Neutrality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS9qjqa1UGA

What is Net Neutrality? To us, it’s what we’ve always assumed the Internet to be: a portal to an equal opportunity to be shared, enlightened and even paid. As Reuters reported, a collective of companies have asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “take the necessary steps to ensure that the Internet remains an open platform for speech and commerce,” and we have a limited window to influence the FCC before they likely vote on new rules on May 15.

There are those that oppose net neutrality, or are at least in favor of changing it. Often their argument is that if someone has the financial means, then they should be allowed to take the express lane. But the traffic analogy dismisses the fact that an express lane on an actual highway helps traffic, while ending net neutrality will adversely affect consumers and businesses on both ends of the digital highway. Those who pay will stay at current speeds, and those who can’t will be slowed down.

AT&T, Verizon and Comcast might like to see an end to Net Neutrality, but this isn’t their Internet. Their service would be pointless without the structure, the content and the protocol that has been created and nurtured by passionate people who work way beyond the hours they’re paid.

The proverbial playing field already leans in favor of the big players. Many of those people worked very hard to get to gain that influence. However, we have to give the smaller players a chance to at least get out of the tunnel to compete. Net neutrality maintains that equality. Here’s how you can make sure the FCC hears you and maintains Net Neutrality as we’ve known it.