The Net Neutrality Battle Made Simple
That’s a nice Internet you got there. Shame if something were to happen to it.
It’s hard to follow politics. You’ve got stuff to do, I know. I’m actually interested in this stuff and it still feels like a burden sometimes. But every once in a while you need to make some noise to make sure bad things don’t happen. Like right now for instance. The FCC and telecoms are trying to ruin the Internet. I’m going to compress things for you. I want you to understand, and get involved, and not spend all your precious time doing it because THIS FREAKING MATTERS, OKAY.
Basically, telecoms are trying to create “fast lanes” for the Internet, which in reality could mean simple charging extra for the regular Internet we have now while anybody who doesn’t pay gets a slowed down version. They do not mean adding new infrastructure to create a better Internet. They mean charging more for less of the same Internet we have now. The telecoms could restrict traffic so that only big companies can afford good Internet, and so that their competitors would suffer. Remember, Comcast is a media company and an Internet provider. If they think Netflix is outcompeting them for media content, they could just charge them way more for their Internet. This is the most common and least nefarious example of the possible consequences. The implications for our privacy, Free Speech, and business could be so much larger that most commentators are trying to stick to the “slow Netflix” example.
But first, the FCC has to decide how to classify Internet service providers. Companies that provide utilities (like electricity) can’t mess with the service they provide, they merely give you access to it. That’s what ISPs should be, otherwise Net Neutrality is dead.
Here it is in the current political jargon: ISPs need to be treated as common carriers and regulated under Title II.
We need to tell Congress and the FCC. Believe it or not, they listen. You just have to be REALLY LOUD. Not like, on the phone. Be courteous on the phone. I just mean that a lot of people have to say what they want very clearly.
I’ll tell you what to do in just a moment, but first, you’ll want to have your shpeel at your fingertips. Once you’ve got it down, it’s simply a matter of directing it to anyone that has the power to do something about it. Here’s an example, but I encourage you to use your own language and make it personal:
Net Neutrality cannot reasonably be said to exist if ISPs have discretionary power over how the people interact with the Internet. The powers they hope to gain will allow them to provide access at whatever cost they feel like charging, even if it’s fo lower quality service than we have now, and strangle their competitors through selective access. The Internet is the greatest tool that humans have ever created, and we cannot afford for it to be crippled by greed. ISPs must be treated as common carriers under Title II.
Now, here’s what you can do about it:
- Call your representative. Or write them a letter. Or pay them a visit. Seriously. The more time/energy you spend on them, the more they listen. But at the very least, call. As a bonus: look them up on OpenSecrets and check their contributors list. I found that my Senators, Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) have received $86,000 and $44,000 from Comcast, respectively. That’s worth knowing in case you want to ask if their vote has already been purchased.
- Call the FCC at 888-225-5322 and hit 1, 4, 0 on the menu. Tell them: “I’m calling to ask the FCC to reclassify Internet Service Providers as Title Two Common Carriers.” Simple.
- Call the FCC Chairman and Commissioners (the first three recently voted for the “fast lane” concept, Pai and O’Rielly voted against it, FYI): Chairman Tom Wheeler: 1-202-418-1000 / Tom.Wheeler@fcc.gov Mignon Clyburn: 1-202-418-2100 / Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov Jessica Rosenworcel: 1-202-418-2400 / Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov Ajit Pai: 1-202-418-2000 / Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov Michael O’Rielly: 1-202-418-2300 / michael.orielly@fcc.gov
- Comment on the FCC’s proceedings (proceeding number 14-28). You’ll have to attach your comment in a document, but it’s as simple as putting your shpeel in a .txt file, and this is a really direct way of participating.
- Email the FCC atopeninternet@fcc.gov (but not before calling)
- Write a letter to the Editor. Citizens and policymakers alike read these. It’s how they know what to care about. Tell them.
- Sign a petition. Actually, don’t. When I tell people there’s an issue they need to get involved in, they often ask for the petition. Why? Petitions are easy. Easy to sign, easy to ignore. Making a phone call isn’t that much harder, but it’s way more effective.
Further Reading/Resources:
- HQ for fighting the good fight: Save the Internet
- Analysis: Tim Wu, professor at Columbia Law School, talks about the finer legal aspects of the case.
- Analysis: Stacey Higginbotham @ Gigaom
- Net Neutrality in 3 minutes
- Reddit’s call-to-action
- JustAnotherGraySuit comments on reddit about how to fight for Net Neutrality. A very solid updated source.
- Obama committing to an open Internet and Net Neutrality in 2007. And in 2010. And in 2014, though with ever more convoluted language. Starting to feel a bit like you’re letting us down, Barry.
- A slew of big tech companies (including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Dropbox and Yahoo) sent a letter to the FCC in support of Net Neutrality.
