It all sounds so remote and abstract, so knee-deep in political mudslinging and far-away Policy Objectives. But it isn’t. If you are an online marketer, a buyer or seller or importer or distributor of goods and services, if you find customers or accept orders or do customer service through any web-based sites and technologies … then the issue of Net Neutrality hits you square in the gut.

Didja hear the one about the “inventor” of the BlackBerry smart phone?

The day the Dow index tanked and lit a fuse on the U.S. financial crisis three weeks ago was the day GOP presidential candidate John McCain’s economic advisor claimed his boss (who can’t use email) “invented” the BlackBerry. That gaffe made for a short-lived snarky signature file that went viral as a joke, which we covered in Social Media-Communications Reach Customers in All Age Groups . Great laughs.

This part isn’t so funny – U.S. Internet and communications device users are way behind the tech curve, compared to usage and access in many other countries. One reason is the restrictions and deals the telecommunications lobby muscled through the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, when that watchdog Senate committee was chaired by that BlackBerry “inventor” (sic) who is butt of the above joke. This is from a tech post blog on September 18:

This BlackBerry thing is actually far more serious than anyone in the media is paying attention to. The BlackBerry company manufactures about 20 other little neat devices not available here in the US. Why?

Because when McCain was in charge of the Commerce Committee, he helped get laws with loopholes passed regarding broadband services that allow some of his favorite lobbyists’ companies (AT&T, Verizon, BellSouth, satellite-TV carrier Echo Star, lobbyist Vicki Iseman’s client Bud Paxson who sought special clearance from the FCC, etc) to control what will be available and what will not. So although you think you have the latest greatest thing with your BlackBerry — too bad. People in almost every other country have way more neat stuff to choose from and probably more up-to-date than we do. Thank you, John McCain.

The difference between what Al Gore actually did (get the US to #1 position in Internet infrastructure and accessibility at the time) and McCain (when he left Commerce Committee he had succeeded in making us #16) is that Gore pushed for open access — and McCain is all about control by the telecomm industry. Net Neutrality anyone? Phooey! Posted by lokywoky at 09/18/2008 @ 6:48pm

Didja hear other ones about Internet “Service” Providers who valve down user access:

Comcast ISP Caps Broadband Access; Says There Is “Too Much Traffic On the Network”

Sprint’s New Wireless Service May Throttle Internet Traffic with Clause That Allows Sprint to Limit Consumers’ Access to Content and Applications.

And Sprint Nextel Plan to Limit Bandwidth for Heavy Internet Usage from Technology Blog of The Washington Post.

House Democrats Dig Up Decades-Old Antitrust Law in New Net Neutrality Fight

which includes this line drawn in the sand:

“Americans have come to expect the Internet to be open to everyone,” said Conyers (John Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee). “The Internet was designed without centralized control, without gatekeepers for content and services. If we allow companies with monopoly or duopoly power to control how the Internet operates, network providers could have the power to choose what content is available. Many of the innovations and products we use every day, such as search engines, music download services and online video, likely would never have developed in such a restricted environment.”

Didja hear the one about Chicken Little Lobby Comes To NY?

It a sad story of a powerful lobby (National Association of Broadcasters) who wants to block use of television “white spaces” likely to open up when TV goes digital in February 2009; white spaces are vacant frequencies between TV channels that can offer powerful high-speed Internet services … over mountains and through buildings … to tens of millions of Americans. The NAB wants to hoard this spectrum and claims opening up white spaces to broadband Internet access by the masses will be the DEATH of TV as we know it in the Western Civilized World.

And all this has exactly what to do with wholesalers, retailers, importers, auctioneers and distributors of apparel, footwear, accessories and general merchandise???

Have a look at what other business owners and entrepreneurs have told their elected reps about the need for Net Neutrality. Below these comments is the web site through which they – and 23,275 others – wrote to their U.S. House Representatives. Legislation to protect Net Neutrality was killed off in 2007; but it’s baaaaaack!

Please Don’t Let Comcast Destroy My Business
I am a small business owner, just my wife and I. Because of the free Internet, we have been able to establish our own business, and not only make a good living, but live the lifestyle we’ve always dreamed of. … However, the loss of Net Neutrality could destroy everything I’ve worked for in one swift move. With the big-money websites able to attract more customers, driving out small businesses like mine out of the marketplace, it would be the equivalent of the Wal-Mart Effect, but online.

Huge websites with vast resources would control the Internet.
The American people, entrepreneurs, and small business people like myself would be driven out of the marketplace, which has created the opportunities for success for thousands of people like myself, and brought dreams to life for so many people.

Comcast, AT&T and Verizon are three of the largest, most profitable companies in the world.
To think that the bottom line of these three already-profitable companies would be thought of as more vital to American interests than the hopes, dreams, ambitions, and freedom of American citizens is simply against every American moral and value that the founding fathers of our nation envisioned for this country, and against the very fabric of what makes our country great. You hold the power in your hands to uphold the shining beacon of freedom in America, a land where even the smallest entrepreneur has an opportunity for success and every citizen has a voice. Please use this power to empower the millions of people who rely on the Internet every day, and not just to line the pockets of corporations that already have so much. We, the people of America, trust you to do the job you’ve been appointed to do – stand up for the values and liberties of the people of this country. Don’t let us down…please. My life, and so many like me, depend on your decision.

The internet should not be regulated. Hands Off.
Net Neutrality is essential to free speech, equal opportunity and economic innovation in America. Since the FCC removed this basic protection in 2005, the top executives of phone and cable companies have stated their intention to become the Internet’s gatekeepers and to discriminate against Web sites that don’t pay their added tolls.

Without Net Neutrality I Go Out of Business
I own a photography business. The majority of my clients find me on the Internet. After the shoot, I post all of the images on my website for ordering. This isn’t a large company; it’s just me. I cannot afford to pay huge sums of money so that people can continue to see my work. Without Net Neutrality, my business is dead.

Small Business and Democracy Need Net Neutrality
I am a small business person, as well as an active citizen. NET NEUTRALITY protection (equal and open access for all web sites and Internet communication) is crucial to the survival of small businesses, if we are to have any chance to compete on a national and global level by employing modern technology. … Since the FCC removed this basic protection in 2005, the top executives of phone and cable companies have stated their intention to become the Internet’s gatekeepers and to discriminate against Web sites that don’t pay their added tolls. This fundamental change would end the open Internet as we know it. It would damage my ability to connect with others, share information and participate in our 21st Century democracy and economy. The FCC must ensure that broadband providers do not block, interfere with or discriminate against any lawful Internet traffic based on its ownership, source or destination. … Is the FCC the advocate for corporate domination and control of democracy; or, is it the guardian of free and open communication for the people, upon which any true meaning of democracy is based?

Internet freedom demands protection
Corporations would love to double-charge. It is only legislation that prevents this. So, too, with the Internet. Telecommunication firms are pushing to be able to charge for BOTH the data carried across their lines AND the consumer access that receives this data. This is utterly unconscionable. The Internet is the only medium where everyone with a viewpoint…

Small Internet Businesses Need Net Neutrality
As a new small business owner, I rely heavily on the Internet to generate business. Most of my customers are through the Internet. The FCC needs to be more “hands-on” in protecting Net Neutrality against the telecom giants who seek to become “gatekeepers” of the web. Net Neutrality insures that my business can be shoulder-to-shoulder with other businesses on the Net. If I should suddenly have to pay premium charges just to have access to certain areas of the Internet, I do not know for certain that I could stay in business. This is arbitrary and unfair. My concerns go even deeper, however. A free and open Internet fosters creativity, economic innovation, and democratic free speech. I do not think it’s in any citizen’s best interest to have such a forum co-opted by big money companies like AT&T, Verizon, or Comcast. Please stand up for us. We’re counting on you. Thank you for your time and understanding.

ACT NOW

The Internet Freedom Preservation Act will guarantee Net Neutrality protections for all of us. You can make the difference. “Tell your representative” to support the New Net Neutrality Bill at this site