Net Neutrality Loses Round I (of Voting)
The House GOP (with the help a few Democrats), along with industry giant and all-around brow-beaters AT&T and a few others, had the last (or first) laugh on the net neutrality debate. Internetnews.com was one of the many sources to cover the vote:
“House Commerce Committee Republicans defeated an effort by Democrats today to strengthen network neutrality provisions in the panel's telecom reform bill. With four Democrats breaking ranks and joining the Republicans, the panel voted 34-22 to turn back an amendment by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)”
The article goes on to quote Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton:
“‘If [the telcos] spend billions and billions of dollars to put a network into play and charge a fee to those who want to take advantage of these enhanced services, I think that's a good thing…’"
Others would disagree with Mr. Barton, but that is where things stand for now. However, there are some that believe in the long-run the debate over net neutrality will swing the other way. There has been a groundswell of support, and it seems as though it has not gone unnoticed. Dana Blankenhorn is one among many who thinks the message of the other side with some help from the November elections could swing things in neutrality advocates' favor:
“Advocates for network neutrality will lose this year. AT&T and Verizon will be allowed to try and favor certain companies (Yahoo) and their Web sites over everyone else. They will be allowed to turn their lines into Cable TV lines...But something interesting is going on. Folks are noticing.”
Blankenhorn Horn goes on to cite the recent petitions, ads, contests , and “save the Internet” sites that are springing up. He also goes onto say:
“Right now all these people, and the experts lined up on their side, and the giant companies allied with them, are not enough to carry the day...But there is an election coming in November. The deck is going to be scrambled, for reasons unrelated to this issue.”
For some November offers a ray of hope, for others it is cold comfort. News.com quotes leading Democrats:
“‘I'm concerned about e-mails being blocked from advocacy groups, of all sides," said Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat who supported the amendment. "I'm concerned about start-ups that may be shut down.’"
The article also covers Rep. Ed Markey (D) of Massachusetts response. He voiced the opinion of many of those who feel that both big business and the government have completely lost their way on the subject:
“‘Did the Bells create the Internet? Did the cable companies create the Internet?..."The answer is no. The Internet was built on a different model, a public interest model, funded by American taxpayers.’"
It is clear that the first round is over and that net neutrality advocates have returned to their corner a little more bruised than the other guys. But the bout is far from finished and there is still plenty of time left to fight. There are a number of organizations such as moveon.org and companies such as Google and Yahoo that are mounting an effort to sway the Senate and to keep the debate alive.