Verizon just launched FreeBee, its plan for ‘sponsored data’:
It’s a growing trend in the wireless space as companies look for ever more ways to hook data-hungry mobile users. But the practice has drawn scrutiny from net neutrality advocates who argue that sponsored data or “zero rating” lets rich, powerful companies pay to win, tilting the playing field against entrepreneurs and start-ups who can’t afford to pay the new fees.
Net Neutrality rules prevent broadband Internet access providers, such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, from unreasonably discriminating against or blocking lawful content and applications. This principle has always governed the Internet, ensuring a robust Internet economy and a level playing field for all voices online.
In February 2015, after a year-long rulemaking process that drew a record-breaking number of public comments, the FCC voted to protect Net Neutrality by restoring it to the solid legal foundation improperly abandoned during the Bush administration. The vast majority of Americans — spanning the political spectrum — support these rules.
But some in Congress are trying to use the appropriations process to undermine Net Neutrality by burying three riders in Sections 628–630 of the financial services appropriations bill that funds the FCC. These sections would prohibit the FCC from protecting the open Internet.
Breaking news: The D.C. Appeals Court just killed Net Neutrality.
This could be the end of the Internet as we know it. But it doesn’t have to be.
Tell the FCC: We Need Real Net Neutrality NOW: http://bit.ly/2XPBtkt
Rep. Bob Latta has just introduced a bill (H.R. 4752) that would stop the FCC from taking the necessary step to protect REAL Net Neutrality.
This move borders on insulting and actually forbids the FCC from doing what millions of people (LIKE YOU!), companies, innovators, artists and organizations have been urging it to do: reclassify broadband providers as common carriers.
AT&T and Verizon don’t want a network that enables us to create, write, make, design, build and sell what we want — without restrictions or the need to ask permission from gatekeepers.
Instead, these companies want an Internet that looks an awful lot like cable television: a place where you get only the news and entertainment that pad ISPs’ profit margins. And they want an Internet that excludes dissident voices.
Hey Texas!
The Net Neutrality debate is headed your way and we need your help!
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is holding an open forum on Net Neutrality at Texas A&M University in College Station on Oct. 21.
Sounds good, right? Wrong! Pai’s not a fan of real Net Neutrality.
That’s why we need you there on Oct. 21.
Did you know? Most Conservative Voters Support Net Neutrality.
While Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted that Net Neutrality is “Obamacare for the Internet,” a new poll shows that most conservatives support open Internet protections.
It’s no surprise that the poll found such strong support for Net Neutrality among conservatives. After all, open Internet protections benefit anyone — regardless of political beliefs — who cares about free expression online.
Well that was quick … late Monday the first lawsuits against the FCC’s new Net Neutrality rules were filed.
“Maybe every so often we can be on the side of the American people,” Rep. Jose Serrano said, “and not corporations.”
Those are fighting words — but unfortunately the House majority doesn’t seem to be heeding them. Not when it comes to Net Neutrality.
This afternoon the House appropriations committee voted against two amendments — one from Serrano, one from Rep. Nita Lowey — to remove anti-Net Neutrality language from a must-pass government-funding package.
The anti-Net Neutrality provisions — buried deep within this 158-page bill — would strip the FCC of the money it needs to enforce its open Internet protections. The provisions would also prevent the rules from remaining in effect until after the court cases challenging them have been decided — a process that could take years.
“You’re not supposed to legislate in an appropriations bill,” Serrano said, noting that a federal court had already rejected an attempt from the cable, phone and wireless lobbies to delay implementation of the rules.
Tell Congress: Keep the Internet WEIRD — and SAVE NET NEUTRALITY
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