Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

It all depends on HOW they approach the issue I think everyone agrees they shouldn't regulate the Internet while seeking to have Net Neutrality but I have been around the government long enough not to assume it the case. It's a valid point they could very easily regulate in the process of applying neutrality.

Net neutrality is indeed about regulating the internet. I work with the Hands Off the Internet coalition in opposing this government regulation of the internet under the guise of "net neutrality." As Thomas recognized, government regulation of the internet is a very valid concern.

"Net neutrality" would prohibit the telcos from prioritizing a spam email over an IPTV or VOIP packet. Net neutrality would shelter the large content providers, Google, Amazon, ebay, etc. from paying for the online bandwidth they use. So as the telcos are spending billions to upgrade the outdated copper lines to fiber, net neutrality would force consumers to pay for these upgrades. We need to focus on America's embarrassing ranking in broadband deployment, increasing deployment and not regulation is the key to innovation and job creation.

I should have added earlier, here is video of Matt Stoller, prominent net neutrality advocate, exulting to a crowd of people just this weekend about how he is successfully leading the charge to "regulate the Internet." His words