The FCC’s open Internet proceeding has spawned much conversation – and debate – over whether or not new regulations are required for the Internet of tomorrow. The Internet of tomorrow – just stop and think about what that means for a moment. While there are no doubt a handful of smart people out there who ten years ago may have envisioned the Internet of today, we feel safe in saying that the dynamic platforms that have exploded onto the scene these past few years weren’t on the radars of many. From YouTube to Twitter to rapid growth in eHealth and online commerce, the Internet has been a beacon of light in a rather stormy economy.
It’s hard to imagine whether these and countless other innovations would have manifested themselves on an Internet stifled with regulation. But what good is hindsight. Looking down the road, we have to ask what will our open Internet look like should the FCC issue rules that many fear (see below) will put a stranglehold on a thriving Internet and broadband marketplace. But you know where we stand – so you shouldn’t just take it from us. You should read the public comments filed during the FCC’s Net neutrality NPRM proceeding.
We’re talking civil rights groups, consumers and diverse advocacy organizations, high-tech companies, Internet experts and free-market thinkers. Many diverse viewpoints that have nonetheless found common ground on this issue and have cautioned the FCC to think about whether or not added regulations to an open Internet is the right policy move for the Internet of the future.
In addition, we caught up with Harry Alford, President of the National Black Chamber of Commerce and Justin Nelson from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to make sure they had a platform here on NextGenWeb to be heard. In these interviews you will hear important leaders from the minority community talk about the importance of a National Broadband Plan, and why Net neutrality is a step in the wrong direction when it comes to ensuring the rapid adoption of high-speed Internet by those Americans who are missing out on the promise.
It’s a critical time – and we want these voices to be heard.
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February 23rd, 2010 at 6:09 pm
[...] conversation then turned to the noise around the current Net neutrality debate, which has been amplified via the FCC’s open Internet proceeding. The panelists seemed frustrated [...]