Net Neutrality — What You Can Do
The FCC has repealed Net Neutrality rules that recognize telecom companies as common carriers under Title II. This is bad.
Americans have been fighting to protect Net Neutrality all year long. Unfortunately, the FCC is not subject to public pressure. They voted (along party lines) to repeal Net Neutrality. You should be upset.
And here’s what you can do:
Boycott, Boycott, Boycott
Ultimately these telecom companies, their lawyers, and their lobbyists are paid by your internet and phone bill. The surest way to make your voice heard is to stop paying them.
Switch your ISP and your cell phone provider over to companies with more progressive views on Net Neutrality. Its really (really) easy! This has the added benefit of putting your money in the pocket of companies that will fight FOR you.
Switching your Internet Service Provider
- A simple yelp search for ‘ISP’ can show you who your local internet service providers are.
- Look them up and see their stance on Net Neutrality.
- Contact them and tell them you want to switch your ISP.
Here are some great options for my friends in the Bay Area: Monkeybrains, Webpass, Sonic
Switching your cell phone provider
This is so easy, its ridiculous. I know a lot of you are probably on sweetheart deals and family plans from your current provider. But protest is supposed to be slightly inconvenient.
If you’re with AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, or T-Mobile, you should definitely switch. If you’re not, you should look into what your cell phone provider’s stance on Net Neutrality is.
Project Fi by Google is a great option and so is MintSim. They both have service that is at least as good as the major carriers.
VOTE!
The 2018 elections are just around the corner. Get involved. Look into your representative’s stance on Net Neutrality (among other issues) when you make up your mind on who to vote for. And then go vote!
As a reminder, these rules were repealed on party lines. All the Republican commissioners voted to repeal while the Democratic commissioners voted against the repeal.
Two of the republican commissioners terms are ending in the next two years. Commissioners need to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. Call and pressure your senators when the time for confirmation comes. This can give us a fighting chance to overturn this ruling.