AT&T’s merger with BellSouth seems to have hit a little bit of a snafu - over ‘Net Neutrality.’ With some of the FCC members requesting a ‘four year’ requirement for open access without charging website operators fees. It seems, however, that some are considering to approve a two and a half year free ride as conditions of approving the merger.

According to the Forbes report, “To get the merger approved, AT&T has pledged that for 2 1/2 years it won’t provide Web sites that agree to pay a premium either faster or more reliable service over its Internet backbone.”

The one thing I don’t understand - if consumer pay to access the Net, shouldn’t we be allowed to see anything we can point a browser at? That is really the crux of the issue when it comes to Net Neutrality. First of all, all these fees consumers pay for broadband should be providing the companies the means with which to build their network.

Bad enough some carriers, like Atlantic Broadband, restrict what you can and can’t do on your Internet connection. They say it’s for your ’security’ or goes beyond what they consider ‘residential’ or ‘average’ use. My friend Logan over at TigerDirect has experienced such angst over this exact issue with them. They don’t allow you to access ‘torrent’ ports, some gaming ports and even says you aren’t to be posting to newsgroups and other forums in a rude or offensive manner. Heck, that’s what they are for!

Part of my fear is that providing the carriers and providers of ‘the network’ control over what we can and can’t access will allow political interests to censor the web without doing so in violating our rights, or forbid - violate the Bill of Rights and Constitution themselves. Getting the private sector to do the dirty work is nothing new - the news is rife with complaints about Blackwater, a military contractor who seems to be trigger happy and Iraq wants them out of there. Since they are closely associated to the Administration, it’s no secret - since our troop numbers are being controlled by the Congress - the funding put into place allows the DOD to go out and hire private military personnel - without increasing our ‘troop’ numbers. Slick, huh? Private sector to the rescue.

Net Neutrality is nothing to pass over or even laugh off - it’s serious business - that can affect your enjoyment of the Internet now - and in the future. Say ‘YES’ to Net Neutrality and let your provider and Representatives know. We pay for access to the net - and the net has no ruler.

Source: Forbes