isen.blog

We interrupt our all-FISA-all-the-time coverage to announce . . .

Representative Ed Markey [D-MA, chair of the telecom subcommittee] and Chip Pickering [R-MI] have introduced a bill [.pdf] that would restore Network Neutrality and more . . . in the bill's own words, it would

. . . establish broadband policy and direct the Federal Communications Com-
mission to conduct a proceeding and public broadband summits to assess
competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice issues relating
to broadband Internet access services . . .

Among other things, it amends the 1934 Communications Act to include a policy statement that says, in part,

It is the policy of the United States . . . to maintain the freedom to use for lawful purposes broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators, as has been the policy and history of the Internet and the basis of user expectations since its inception [and to] preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of broadband networks that enable consumers to reach, and service providers to offer, lawful content, applications, and services of their choosing, using their selection of devices, as long as such devices do not harm the network.

It requires the FCC to hold at least eight Broadband Summits around the United States

. . . to bring together, among others, consumers, consumer advocates, small business owners, corporations, venture capitalists, State and local governments, academia, labor organizations, religious organizations, representatives of higher education, primary and secondary schools, public libraries, public safety, and the technology sector to assess competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice issues related to broadband Internet access services.

We'll probably need to elect a president with a more enlightened technology policy before such a bill becomes law. But it is a great bipartisan first step!

To learn more, and/or to voice your support for this effort via savetheinternet.com, visit here.

Technorati Tags: Broadband, Broadband-per-capita, FCC, NetworkNeutrality, savetheinternet