Dems push 'Net neutrality: Introduce "Internet Freedom Preservation Act"

[villager]

Democrats push 'Net neutrality

Internet Freedom Preservation Act is introduced

By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

WASHINGTON -- Democrats, who all but sank major communications reform legislation in the previous congressional session over the issue of so-called 'Net neutrality, marked the first day of the new Congress by introducing a bill that will mandate 'Net neutrality, which is intended to guarantee the equal accessibility and flow of content over the Internet.

The Internet Freedom Preservation Act, sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), "would ensure that broadband service providers do not discriminate against Internet content, applications or services by offering preferential treatment," according to a statement by Dorgan.

Without a federal mandate for 'Net neutrality, Dorgan said, broadband providers could be "gatekeepers capable of deciding which content can get through to consumers, and which content providers could get special deals, faster speeds and better access to the consumer."

<snip>

Last year, the GOP-controlled Senate tried to move a massive communications reform bill that included changes to national video franchising rules. Democrats tried but failed to attach a 'Net neutrality amendment to the bill while still in committee. While some Republicans supported their effort, Democrats took the lead in threatening a filibuster should the bill come to a floor vote without any provisions for 'Net neutrality. As a result, the bill never made it to the floor.

<snip>

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957029.html?categoryid=1064&cs=1

[BushOut06]

1. Can someone explain this in layman's terms?

I have to confess I'm really not up to speed on this, and I know I should be. What exactly does net neutrality mean?

[Beetwasher]

2. WOO HOO!!! (Explanation!)

This is great news.

Internet providers wanted a two tier system where some webpages would be given priority over others. There would be a fast lane and a slow lane. Websites that could afford it would be on the "fast line" and easier to access than those that were on the "slow lane". It would have been used to essentially squeeze out the independent, smaller websites that couldn't afford to be on the upper tier.

[tridim]

11. Does it affect all protocols, or just HTTP?

For instance, would NNTP and streaming protocols all move to the slow lane? What about email?

I don't expect that many congress-critters understand that the Internets are more than just web pages.

We need to keep a close eye on the fine-print with this thing.

[Doctor Venmkan]

17. I totally can't understand your first sentence

...probably a good sign that we should pay heed to your LAST!

Still, sounds like good news!!!! :D :D :D

[villager]

3. that your internet provider can't block sites that won't pay for access

or relegate such sites to a "Slow lane," compared to the turbo-charged, corporate-owned "entertainment" sites and such that would be more easily accessible, again, due to monetary deals with your "provider."

Anybody else needs to tweak that, feel free, but I think those are the broad strokes. The Electronic Freedom Foundation website is a good place for more info.

[BushOut06]

4. Sounds good, simplified enough - thanks!

I always got lost in some of the more lengthy and detailed discussions.

[tbyg52]

20. Bits is bits,

at least on the server side. That's the way I finally explained it to myself.

*Users* can be charged for different access speeds, but not people with web pages. It's all ones and zeroes, and the companies who provide web space are not permitted to distinguish between those ones and zeroes based on content nor based on who can pay to have them sent faster. It's still OK to charge on volume, but that's *all*.

Do I have this right?

[wordpix]

10. big corporations like AT&T want to charge you extra for their "fast lane" internet

If you don't pay up, you'll be in the "slow lane." Google is fighting this along with some non-profits and even some fundie groups who I guess might not want to pay for the fast lane access.

This would impact DU if we have to pay extra to download big files like photos and videos.

[MH1]

16. Here's a good read about it

http://www.wetmachine.com/item/697

It may be a little bit beyond "layman's terms" in a couple places, but hey, you all here at DU are bright people. It's a really nice bit of analysis and worth the read.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Thanks for the post villager

It's off to the greatest pages for you

Kicked and recommended

[xxqqqzme]

7. Yes, off to TGP - this is great news

No more tubes for stevens to hide in.

[w4rma]

6. Fantastic. (nt)

[ContraBass Black]

8. Have you seen the anti-neutrality TV ads?

"Forget all the clever mumbo-jumbo; Net Neutrality means YOU lose."


That may be all most people see or hear of the issue until it's too late.

[rocktivity]

9. Don't believe the hype--Net neutrality means THEY cash in

That "upper tier" money wouldn't go to offset government revenues and lower taxes--it would end up in a media mogul's pocket. And what's equally important to THEM, no net neutrality would effectively emasculate public discourse on the Internet--discourse that had as much to do with putting the Dems in power as anything else. THAT'S why they want you to "forget the mumbo-jumbo"--their position is so indefensible, there's nothing they can say.

When it comes to public airwaves that truly are public, the Internet is the final frontier. It must be kept that way.

:headbang:
rocknation

[NashVegas]

12. Ah, This Smells So Good!

Fresh air ...

[druidity33]

13. watch for the loopholes... n/t

[Morgana LaFey]

14. Thank heaven. nt

[DemExpat]

15. I love how Democrats are now so VISIBLE!

:bounce:

DemEx

[Zorra]

18. Senator Snowe should turn her back on the dark side and

join up with the good guys.

This is so totally not a republican type bill.

[villager]

19. yes, she should -- surely her soul matters to her?

n/t

[tom_paine]

21. Hooray for LIBERTY and for those who carry it's banner forward

Bush, Cheney and all the enemies of liberty and self-governance...well, I hope Satan is reading their wing in hell next to the Nazi Wing.

[Quantess]

22. Kick! Too late to reccommend, but worth a kick! (no text)

[lovuian]

23. Woohoo

:woohoo:

The Internet is the one Media not owned by Murdoch