(NDG Wire) The Federal Communications Commission in Washington is now working on new rules and regulations governing the Internet which, ironically, may undermine President Obama’s call for increased broadband access for everyone.
The Obama Administration wants to achieve 100 percent broadband access to everyone in the country. This is particularly important for people on the wrong side of the “digital divide.” Greater access to high-speed Internet services will increase employment and economic development opportunities, allowing all Americans to benefit from new technologies.
A good deal of progress has been made in expanding broadband to underserved areas, thanks largely to investment by private companies that have sunk billions of dollars into their wireline and wireless networks.
Much of that investment has come about precisely because – until now – the Internet has generally remained free of government regulation. New services, competition and consumer choice have flourished without government regulators telling broadband providers how to run their businesses.
We would not like to see that change.
Unfortunately, in October the FCC voted to move ahead with plans to regulate how Internet service providers manage their network operations. They would do this by mandating “Net Neutrality” rules on telecom companies.
Thankfully, numerous groups have contacted the FCC to express their opposition to proposed government rules, including the NAACP, 100 Black Men, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Conference of Black Mayors, National Minority Supplier Development Council, LULAC, and the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, to name several.
The Texas Black Caucus and U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson Lee, among others, are all urging the FCC to proceed with extreme caution.
We strongly agree. We urge the FCC to refrain from creating and imposing new rules that may have the unintended consequence of providing less – not more – broadband access and opportunities to the public.
Thanks for posting this article. I’m decidedly frustrated with struggling to search out germane and sound commentary on this matter. Everybody now goes to the very far extremes to either drive home their viewpoint that either: everyone else in the planet is wrong, or two that everyone but them does not really understand the situation. Many thanks for your concise, relevant insight.
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one
and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.