The Jeff Pulver Blog: Markey Introduces Stand-Alone Net Neutrality Bill

« The Senate Commerce Committee Weighs In on Communications Reform: | Main | Reuters: Financial sector awakens to Net neutrality issues »

May 02, 2006

Markey Introduces Stand-Alone Net Neutrality Bill

Ed Markey, Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, introduced a stand-alone Net Neutrality Bill today.

Here is Mr. Markey's Floor Statement

It is such a moving Statement, I felt compelled to include portions of it below:

"Broadband networks, Mr. Speaker, are the lifeblood of our emerging digital economy. These broadband networks also hold the promise of promoting innovation in various markets and technologies, creating jobs, and furthering education. The world-wide leadership that the U.S. provides in high technology is directly related to the government-driven policies over decades which have ensured that telecommunications networks are open to all lawful uses and all users. The Internet, which is accessible to more and more Americans with every day that goes by on such broadband networks, was also founded upon an open architecture protocol and as a result it has provided low barriers to entry for web-based content, applications, and services.

Recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and court interpretations, however, put these aspects of broadband networks and the Internet in jeopardy. The corrosion of historic policies of nondiscrimination by the imposition of bottlenecks by broadband network owners endanger economic growth, innovation, job creation, and First Amendment freedom of expression on such networks. Broadband network owners should not be able to determine who can and who cannot offer services over broadband networks or over the Internet. The detrimental effect to the digital economy would be quite severe if such conduct were permitted and became widespread."

Mr. Markey’s Bill includes the following:

(1) The first part articulates overall broadband policy and network neutrality goals for the country, and spells out exactly what network neutrality means and puts it into the statute so that it will possess the force of law.

(2) The second part embodies reasonable exceptions to the general rules, such as to route emergency communications or offer consumer protection features, such as spam blocking technology.

(3) And the final part of the bill features an expedited complaint process to deal with grievances and violations within thirty days.

Mr. Markey concludes:

“Do we really have to wait till these corporate giants divide and conquer the open architecture of the Internet to make that against the law? These telephone company executives are telling us that they intend to discriminate in the prioritization of bits and to discriminate in the offering of “quality of service” functions – for a new fee, a new broadband bottleneck toll – to access high bandwidth customers, we cannot afford to wait until they actually start doing that before we step in to stop it.

“Once they start making money by leveraging that bottleneck position in the marketplace, will a future Congress really stare them down and take that revenue stream away?

“… if we don’t protect the openness of the Internet for entrepreneurial activity, we’re ruining a wonderful model for low barrier entry, innovation, and job creation. Broadband network owners should not be able to determine who can and who cannot offer services over broadband networks or over the Internet. The detrimental effect to the digital economy would be quite severe if such conduct were permitted and became widespread. The deterioration of significant policies of nondiscrimination by the imposition of artificial bottlenecks by broadband network owners imperil economic growth, innovation, job creation, and First Amendment freedom of expression on such networks.”

***

We also expect Sens. Snowe and Dorgan to drop their Net Neutrality Bill in the Senate today.

***

It looks like momentum is moving in the direction of the forces fighting to protect and advance the open Internet. Let’s keep up the pressure. I am still looking for the killer ad in our ”Save the Net” Viral Video Contest.

I am also considering hosting the “Internet Freedom Rally” on the steps of the Capitol to drive home the message and to build on the momentum for Net Neutrality that is finally building within the public zeitgeist. We have held two prior Internet Freedom Rallies over the past seven years, but never before has there been so much public awareness, understanding and concern for the issues at stake. I think we have a great opportunity to build momentum and harness the growing passion. I suspect we will have no trouble getting the most eloquent advocates for Net Neutrality from within government and the Internet community to participate, but it would be great to find a couple bands that recognize the need to protect and advance the open Internet.

I would welcome any leads or contacts you might have to bands and artists that would help us to build the energy for this movement to Save Our Internet.

Tags: Net Neutrality, Ed Markey, Save the Net, Jeff Pulver