I urge the committee to revise its rules for "Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet" to eliminate the ability of broadband providers to sell access to "fast lanes" of content delivery over their networks.
I am deeply concerned, as a citizen who uses the Internet at work and at leisure, that giving the small number of last-mile providers the right to sell access to content delivery will change the Internet profoundly, transforming it from a market in which millions of content producers, some very small, are able to compete on a fairly level playing field for the attention of consumers into one resembling today's cable television market, in which a few companies -- in many places only two, or one company -- pick content and set prices. The Internet is an actual free market, but it takes oversight and regulation to keep a market free.
Sacrificing this market to help giant companies become more profitable would not only be depressing, but it would cost the United States its leadership position in the new economy. Some might argue this is for the best, in light of recent revelations about how much our government eavesdrops on electronic communication that crosses (or stays within) our borders. But I'd like to imagine that we still have a positive role to play in inventing the future.
I know members of the committee have assured the public that they will act as a watchdog to prevent the "fast lanes" from slowing down the content delivery of those who can't pay for them. May I politely suggest that the FCC, like most of our underfunded government, might not have the resources or the political power to do that in the future? The best way to prevent abuse is not to make the government the watchdog, but simply to prohibit it. With a clear rule prohibiting favoritism in information transfer, you can rely on the thousands of concerned citizens (nerds) who will happily spend their nights timing packet delivery from different broadband providers -- you'll know if someone is cheating when you read about it on the web.
I urge the FCC to reclassify broadband as a telecommunication service. Internet access is an essential utility in the 21st century, and the people of our country should expect our government to safeguard it rather than leaving its fate to public corporations most focused on this quarter's earning reports.
Thank you for your consideration.