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September 16, 2017 18:32
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Librarian's comments to FCC on Docket No. 17-108: Net Neutrality/Title II repeal
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| As a consumer, librarian, and academic technologist, I fully support the current net neutrality system within Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Stop trying to sell out consumers of information and services to special interests like Verizon and Comcast. Net neutrality does not stifle competition; it allows it to flourish. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and internet consumer, I want the FCC to preserve net neutrality and the regulation of Internet Service Providers under Title II. Free and fair access to content on the internet is essential for the free exchange of information and ideas in our democratic society, and it's naive to think we can just trust corporate actors to act in the best interest of everyone. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The internet matters to me as a librarian and researcher because I have access to information that would be difficult or impossible to find in books. With our fast-paced and changing world, something printed in a book would become obsolete soon after printing. The internet is something that connects, informs, and humanizes people from around the world. Trying to limit that for monetary gain is unthinkable to me. Do not reverse progress for wealth. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian at a rural community college, I spend a lot of time guiding students through confusing online services that are required to apply for financial aid, search for jobs, participate in their education, and entertain themselves during difficult times. | |
| A free and open Internet is important to preserving the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity that has made the Internet such a transformative collection of technologies. Allowing Internet Service Providers more leeway in their terms of service will throttle the development and use of technologies that my students and instructors need to get by in life. | |
| I strongly urge you to support net neutrality. Please ignore the spam and pay attention to the real voices and real stories that make it through. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I strongly support preserving Net Neutrality. Do not roll back title 2! It is important that individuals have equal access to the internet and shouldn't have speed and service be dependent on who can provide the most money to cable companies. | |
| Thank you! | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian I see the importance of the internet in people's lives daily. Net Neutrality serves the people, not corporations. Please keep net neutrality intact. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a law librarian and legal educator, I urge the FCC to preserve net neutrality and Title II treatment of ISPs. An open and fair internet is essential to both the education of the next generation and to the rule of law. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please maintain the current net neutrality of the internet. Please do not remove the regulation that is in place to help maintain the fair and affordable access to the internet by all American citizens and residents. As a former librarian, I was witness to the "internet/technology divide" that exists based on socio-economic conditions in this country. By removing the regulation that is currently in place, libraries, much less poorer Americans, will be able to access information and data - whether for entertainment or education or business - in a fair and equitable environment. The internet is a necessary tool for citizens and residents in their daily lives, and should not be diminished by the profit-driven motives of the large ISPs that provide access. If it were easy for anyone, individually or corporately, to "do the right thing" and self-regulate, no laws would be necessary. But, this is not the reality of the world. Please maintain the regulation that is in place for the sake of American needs for our future as a leader in the world. It is that important. Thank-you. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I see how vital a communications method the internet is on a daily basis. Title II protections for this service are a critical need. The FCC should NOT attempt to burke its responsibility by removing the protections which were put into place at the demand of the public, especially not for the sake of a giveaway to the companies which failed under the old rules to provide Americans with the kind of great internet connections available to the rest of the developed world! True Net Neutrality also protects the ISPs, because should they ever put in place the mechanisms to examine the "packets" which they are passing along the net, they would become liable to legal action as being complicit in any criminal activity taking place over their networks. At the moment they are (as they should be) protected from those accusations, in the same way that the post office and telephone networks are, because they do not make any examination of content. The proposal to "restore internet freedom" is mislabled and foolhardy. True net neutrality, and the title II protections which give government the right to enforce it, are the backbone of communication, commerce, and society in the modern world. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and information professional, there are plenty of barriers to information in our society. Time, location, personal means, and personal ability all play a role in how each of us is able to access what we need to maintain our positions as informed consumers, employees, and voters. To complicate matters, search engine optimization and advertisement redirect pages, reorder search results, and dramatically alter the way we build our information seeking behaviors. There are plenty of corporate interests in how we consume information, especially by media creators and advertisers. By eliminating the protections to net neutrality, the FCC would enable internet service providers, some of which are also content creators, to limit our access to information by taking our time, money, and perspective and using it to line their own pockets. By enabling them to control bandwidth allocations based on content or provider, they would have unchecked influence over the information consumption of the American People. The First Amendment to the Constitution entrenched the freedom of expression in our laws and in our culture. By taking this action, you tell the American people that revenue and control for media and telecom companies matters matters more than their freedom of expression. I urge the FCC to enforce the Net Neutrality protections as they currently stand and prevent changes that would empower corporations to systematically destroy the internet as a powerful tool for accessing the world's knowledge. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a teacher and school librarian, I strongly support net neutrality. Students in all schools throughout the nation have the right to access information that supports their personal and academic growth. Limiting access to information through any means makes educational institutions weaker. It prevents educators from supporting their students, parents and the overall community. The power of the United States [its "greatness'] was established with the expansion of the American library system. Now libraries are omnipresent in the digital world and every student and every person in this country has the right of access to knowledge without borders. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a schoolteacher and librarian I supported net neutrality. As a writer and researcher now, I support network neutrality and title 2 oversight on ISP's. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I am alarmed at this threat to Net Neutrality. Free and open access to information is a cornerstone of democracy. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a public librarian and believe in freedom of information for all. In order to ensure that every American has access to the same information we must keep net neutrality strong. Do not allow the ISPs to slow down access to certain sites based on which companies they are working with. This would result in widespread loss of access for users and money interfering with the freedom of information. Keep net neutrality strong! | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality makes it possible for citizens to access information and culture without concern that corporations are restricting their access to the information they want and need. Without net neutrality laws, profit will trump democratic access to information. As a librarian working in institutions of higher education for close to twenty years, I am greatly concerned that content delivered by our nation's libraries - including open access content and public domain content - will be regulated to the "slow lane" by corporations, if net neutrality is diluted or deleted. This includes rich content ranging from cultural heritage to health data (paid for by citizens of the United States). To quote Julie Todaro, American Library Association president, "The ability of the internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better, and its role will only grow in our economy." I urge the FCC not to pursue threats to net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a librarian we work hard to get unbiased information to our patrons- too much is for sale these days. Protect the Internet not the rich corporations. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please preserve net neutrality. The internet must be open and free like a library. I'm a librarian and I must advocate for low income people. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public library librarian, I am making a sincere request that the FCC does the right thing and ensures that Net Neutrality is guarded and protected, particularly when it comes to Title ll. The flow of information to the public should not be regulated by those with the most power and money. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I use it for work and play, and am on it daily for many hours at a time. Also, I am a librarian and my profession (myself included) is against any form of censorship. Also, since I am a librarian it is my job to show students how to find good resources on the internet, and in databases which uses the internet in a different method than just a typical web browser search. Any hindrance in that is detrimental to my teaching, and to others' learning. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I strongly support net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a consumer and a librarian, I support strong net neutrality under Title II. Keep the internet free and open. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do NOT eliminate Title II net neutrality rules. It is ridiculous to pretend that you think ISP providers will play fair on their own. KEEP Title II- Net neutrality!!! | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a librarian, and believe that open inquiry is of paramount importance to our society. Net neutrality of ISPs is actually far more important than the neutrality of phone companies that is often cited as a precedent. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian. The American Library Association's Code of Ethics encourages librarians to: | |
| ...provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests. | |
| ...uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources. | |
| ...protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted. | |
| ...respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders. | |
| ...[not] advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions. | |
| ...distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources. | |
| Having noted all of that, there already exists a digital divide between rural places that have no internet access; between households with computers and those without; between public and academic libraries that have substantial resources allowing them to more effectively serve their patrons and those that do not. Why exacerbate that problem with this proposal? Why not creatively consider how to increase Americans' access to the web as much of the nation's business is conducted online? | |
| Let me give you a more definitive example of the digital divide. I work in academic library. A member of the community (not a student at the university) came to the Reference desk, asking if we had paper forms so that he could file his taxes. I had to ask one of the other librarians because I knew that we used to have tax forms, but no longer. For that matter, she told me that public libraries no longer have them either. Why? Because now everything is online. One of the librarians logged the gentleman onto one of our computers, but he didn't know how to get to the forms or how to print them out, which meant he likely didn't have a computer at home. | |
| I truly don't see the purpose of this proposal beyond creating an even wider gulf between the haves and the have-nots. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me and all Americans. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality backed by strict title 2 rules. As a librarian, I believe that information should be easily accessible to all people, net neutrality does a lot for helping to reach this goal. | |
| ---------- | |
| Without net neutrality, the incumbents who provide access to the Internet would be able to pick winners or losers in the market. They could impede traffic from our services in order to favor their own services or established competitors. Or they could impose new fees on us, inhibiting consumer choice. Those actions directly impede an entrepreneur’s ability to “start a business, immediately reach a worldwide customer base, and disrupt an entire industry.” Any company no matter how small should be able to compete with incumbents on the quality of our products and services, not their capacity to pay tolls to Internet access providers. | |
| Fortunately, in 2015 the Federal Communications Commission put in place light touch net neutrality rules that not only prohibit certain harmful practices, but also allow the Commission to develop and enforce rules to address new forms of discrimination. I am concerned by reports that you would replace this system with a set of minimum voluntary commitments, which would give a green light for Internet access providers to discriminate in unforeseen ways. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality makes it possible for citizens to access information and culture without concern that corporations are restricting their access to the information they want and need. Without net neutrality laws, profit will trump democratic access to information. As a librarian working in institutions of higher ed for close to twenty years, and as a past-president of the Art Libraries Society of North America, I am greatly concerned that content delivered by our nation's libraries - including open access content and public domain content - will be regulated to the "slow lane" by corporations, if net neutrality is diluted or deleted. This includes rich content ranging from cultural heritage to health data (paid for by citizens of the United States). To quote Julie Todaro, American Library Association president, "The ability of the internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better, and its role will only grow in our economy." I urge the FCC not to pursue threats to net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and the freedom to find information of any subject/content matter. As a librarian, my career focus is on providing judgement-free access to information to everyone. Corporations should not have the ability to regulate that access, no matter what. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and internet consumer, I want the FCC to preserve net neutrality and the regulation of Internet Service Providers under Title II. Free and fair access to content on the internet is essential for the free exchange of information and ideas in our democratic society, and it's naive to think we can just trust corporate actors to act in the best interest of everyone. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality because I believe in intellectual freedom and free expression. The internet plays a vital role in offering access to information and in the creation and distribution of information. People should not have to pay to access information that is freely available, which is what will happen if net neutrality is repealed and ISPs are able to control and throttle access to information on the internet. As a librarian, I also value net neutrality because it allows us to offer high-speed internet to our patrons, many of whom do not have access at home. We also offer a great quantity of digital content--if those content providers have to pay to prioritize that content, those fees will be passed on to libraries and will greatly harm our ability to provide that content to the public free of charge. By supporting net neutrality, I support freedom of speech and an informed and democratic society. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I agree with the American Library Association in my support for Net Neutrality. The "Restoring Internet Freedom" proposal has a disturbingly Orwellian name as in fact it substantially reduces internet freedom. If regulations are rolled back places like libraries could become subject to Internet slow downs, while the Internet at large would become a closed-down network where groups like cable and phone companies would have the authority to censor online content. Without Net Neutrality ISPs could block speech and prevent dissident voices from speaking freely online. Without Net Neutrality marginalized people, people of color, and the poor would lose a vital platform. Please save genuine internet freedom and keep the existing regulations. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a law librarian and legal educator, I urge the FCC to preserve net neutrality and Title II treatment of ISPs. An open and fair internet is essential to both the education of the next generation and to the rule of law. | |
| ---------- | |
| I have served as a librarian for four decades and a library administrator for the past 22 years. I’ve been a public librarian in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. As Chief Executive Officer of Anne Arundel County Public Library where we serve 565,000 people in urban, suburban and rural settings, I am acutely aware of the need for ALL individuals and companies to have equal access to information. I cannot fathom why any legislator would even consider allowing “slow lanes” for Internet access for any American. | |
| In our library, we offer downloadable eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks as well as numerous databases providing courses through Lynda.com, language learning through Rosetta Stone, 365-days-a-year tutoring for kindergarten through adult with BrainFuse, and many more resources online. | |
| We have public computers with internet access as well as free WiFi in our fifteen libraries extending Internet access to thousands of customers who bring their tablets and smart phones to the library. | |
| We work with customers to help them in the health care marketplace, with applications for Social Security and jobs, and every conceivable use of the internet. Obviously, being relegated to lower priority internet access would leave our customers in a very difficult position. | |
| Please do not create new rules that give slower internet access to the have-nots of our country. Please do not allow internet service providers to speed access for some while slowing access for others. | |
| As it is, we’re considering offering WiFi hotspots for loan to customers who cannot afford broadband internet access at home. There’s already a terrible digital divide hurting students with homework assignments requiring internet access. Please do not make things worse for middle and lower income Americans. | |
| Thank you for taking my comments into consideration. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a teacher and librarian, I strongly urge you to support net neutrality to ensure all have equal access to information. This is a basic right in free societies that must be protected. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Lisa Cheby | |
| ---------- | |
| Please preserve net neutrality and title II. Eliminating net neutrality would enable companies to create digital monopolies, preventing consumers from accessing the information and services they need. | |
| As a public librarian, I am concerned about the community I serve not being able to rely upon the free internet service provided at our library - service that many low income families cannot afford on their own. | |
| As a private citizen, I am concerned about my personal access to the internet being limited based on the whims of a corporation. We cannot trust internet providers to honor the rights of their customers on their own. We need federal regulations to protect consumers. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a former librarian for a low-income population, The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Emily Kilduff | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I will always stand up for the fundamental right to equal access to information. The internet is the primary channel for all citizens for access, and corporations should not control it. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Irene Winkler | |
| ---------- | |
| Instead of a pre-fabricated letter which will likely stagnate in redundancy, I wish to issue a personal statement of why I support net neutrality. | |
| A free and open methodology of electronic communication is vital to the fluidity of a democratic society. There's a reason why we've referred to websites for specific community congregations as "forums" since their inception. To inhibit the accessibility of digital information and communication is to strike at the very historical core of public discourse, rational debate, and artistic expression. Every major and successful democracy in the history of human civilization has utilized their own version of a public forum. Inversely, every authoritarian, corrupt, and otherwise morally or progressively backwards system has sought to counteract the free flow of information and ideologies. | |
| Net neutrality is about much more than who pays how much money for a network service. It is about giving every voice and video feed an equal footing. It is about ensuring impoverished children can access free encyclopedias and the collective knowledge of human civilization anytime, anywhere, regardless of socioeconomic disenfranchisement. Net neutrality is about preserving free market principles and allowing individual merchants to openly and fairly compete with organizations that are orders of magnitude larger than themselves. Computers and phones are by extension libraries and marketplaces in our pockets and homes, even if we choose not to use them or view them as such. It would be illegal for Congress to set rental prices for library books depending on who generated or provided the content, and likewise, by law there should be a laissez-faire approach to how such information is provided to the public. It would also be illegal for Congress to supersede the First Amendment rights of freedom of assembly. | |
| As the son of a librarian and the thankful beneficiary of a democratic social structure, I firmly believe in the power of freely accessible information. Ending net neutrality will only benefit a select few who already tip the scales of justice with their economic clout, and will further the divide between the haves and the have nots. | |
| Nick Ring | |
| ---------- | |
| Good morning: | |
| My name is Stacy Brody. I am currently a Master of Information student at Rutgers University and hope to become an academic librarian or corporate information specialist. The current push by corporate interests to end net neutrality is deeply disturbing to myself and many in this field. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to personal freedom, a concept at the very core of our country's constitution. I urge you to protect them and the people your represent. | |
| Ending net neutrality will give ISPs the power to block websites, slow select sites down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. Considering the extent of information sharing and commerce that occurs online, ending net neutrality rules places a large portion of the economy in the hands of a few powerful corporations. What happens to a "free" market in this situation? | |
| Do NOT let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. As a student in the information sciences, I see great value in the freedom to access and share information online freely. This is a key resource for all of us and the information for which we search can be deeply personal. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| If some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses -just to further enrich a few cable giants. In addition to being an information science student, I am also an entrepreneur with a web presence. Will potential customers wait for a small business site like mine to load in a world without net neutrality? | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do what you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Stacy Brody | |
| Stacy | |
| ---------- | |
| Keep strong net neutrality rules backed by Title II | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. It will impact library patrons and libraries as well -- we are there for patrons to have equal access to the internet, and libraries, as you know face budget challenges. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Deb Baker | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm writing as a law librarian and concerned citizen. One of my most deeply held values is that everyone should get the same opportunity to access information. I recognize that we live in a complicated world, but that doesn't mean we need to turn away from that ideal in order to appease big business. The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Cynthia Bassett | |
| Cynthia Bassett | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm writing as a law librarian and concerned citizen. One of my most deeply held values is that everyone should get the same opportunity to access information. I recognize that we live in a complicated world, but that doesn't mean we need to turn away from that ideal in order to appease big business. The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Cynthia Bassett | |
| Cynthia Bassett | |
| ---------- | |
| While I include the suggested language from others who support continuation of net neutrality, I want to start with my own words. I am a law librarian and a former attorney. Access to news, laws, research, and entertainment are all fundamental to our society. No ISP or other provider of infrastructure should be permitted to discriminate among users. This is akin to the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom to associate. I urge you to protect net neutrality. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kenneth J. Hirsh | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, my colleagues and I foster open access to information, as well as free and unfettered resources for members of our society to learn, become creative, and begin their own industrial enterprises. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me, my thousands of patrons, and millions of Americans on both sides of the digital divide. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Melissa Hozik | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is vital to keeping internet companies from choking the wallets of American consumers. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. Without Open Internet, libraries, government agencies, and non-profits as well as small businesses just starting out struggle to reach their audience. They can't success without Open Internet - nothing less than the future of our democratic values of free and open discourse is at stake. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sara Pic | |
| ---------- | |
| Being a librarian, I know that access to information is essential for all citizens of the US to be able to be active participants in their communities and make informed decisions. Therefore, reducing the difficulty of obtaining and maintaining internet connection is beneficial for the entire community. | |
| What I fear is that the interests of larger corporations in securing and restricting access will lead to communities becoming disjointed and the gap between the low and high income earners will widen. | |
| Please understand that it is imperative to maintain a well functioning democracy by ensuring that all citizens have access to information. | |
| Below is the well worded auto-response from battleforthenet.com, but I wanted to make my unique contribution and perspective to the matter. | |
| Do not support the recent FCC proposed changes and support net neutrality. | |
| Thank you for listening, | |
| -Sarah Metts | |
| _-----_ | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sarah Metts | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. Without Open Internet, libraries, government agencies, and non-profits as well as small businesses just starting out struggle to reach their audience. They can't success without Open Internet - nothing less than the future of our democratic values of free and open discourse is at stake. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sara Pic | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| As a librarian, I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. What academic research web resources would be able to afford to pay to be in the fast lane? And if they *did* pay to be in the fast lane--and had to raise their prices as a result--what library or academic researcher would be able to afford to access those research tools? We're already struggling to keep up with the price of the journals, databases, and other resources necessary to allow research to happen. If we don't want our country and our world to stagnate in the past, we NEED net neutrality to empower the learning and scholarship that drives advancements in science, technology, and culture. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Emily Mitchell | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and a writer. The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. Please protect them for me and for future generations. Do not sell this important resource -- developed by the government for the safety and security of the American people!--to companies who only plan to profit from this. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. After spending millions and millions of lobbying dollars all over the country, Comcast-has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable has throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon has admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Deborah Doyle | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to you as a librarian, lawyer, concerned citizen and advocate for the open interchange of ideas. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| IPS Censorship is a dangerous problem with important and troubling examples of what may come soon. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers, hurts businesses and is a challenging precedent. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Roger Skalbeck | |
| ---------- | |
| Think of the internet like a library. The library shouldn't be allowed to burn books because they don't like or agree with them. Just like how internet providers shouldn't be allowed to block web sites because they don't like or agree with them. Keep net neutrality so the librarians of the internet don't burn down the sites they don't like or agree with. | |
| Reuben Ray Henderson | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a community college librarian. Net neutrality protects our online library content and services (such as academic databases and language learning tools) from being discriminated against or being relegated to a "slow lane" because of our inability to pay for preferential service. Net neutrality is also critical to intellectual freedom. It prevents ISPs from deeming which information is more accessible or important. ISPs should have ZERO authority in determining what information my students can or can't access. | |
| Heather Darnell | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a community college librarian. Net neutrality protects our online library content and services (such as academic databases and language learning tools) from being discriminated against or being relegated to a "slow lane" because of our inability to pay for preferential service. Net neutrality is also critical to intellectual freedom. It prevents ISPs from deeming which information is more accessible or important. ISPs should have ZERO authority in determining what information my students can or can't access. | |
| Heather Darnell | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. AS a librarian and the mother of students, we need fair and non-monetized access to information. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kim Kietzman | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me as I work as an academic librarian at a college where most of our students are working their ways through school and are on a tight budget. We are always trying to do more with less. As we are a commuter college, remote access to a wide variety of databases is needed. | |
| I urge you to protect the open access rules. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Rita | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian working in Appalachia, the internet is extremely important to me. We have many distance students, and without the internet I wouldn't be able to work with them. Not to mention that considering the education gaps in West Virginia, many of our students and colleagues are only able to get some education or certifications from the web. Safe to say, the internet is both incredibly important in my personal life and for my students and career. | |
| It's thus very important that net neutrality continue to be protected and that the service continues to be classified as at telecommunications service instead of an information one. Information service implies that I'm offered things other than just just internet access, and I neither want nor need that. Comcast already offers an email service, and I have never ever used it, except when forced by them to as a login. I am quite happy with my current cloud, email and other services, none of which are given by my internet provider. | |
| These rules are important because usually there isn't another internet provider for me to go to. As a librarian, I can only afford to live in apartments, and there usually isn't a choice given there between service providers. If one internet company raises their rates absurdly I can't just switch. Similarly, if my students cannot access content because one company censors it, they probably cannot switch either. | |
| We have enough fake news. Access to a free and unfettered internet is essential to continuing to pursue the truth. | |
| Please continue to protect net neutrality. Thank you. | |
| Jacqueline DiOrio | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kelsey W | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kelsey W | |
| ---------- | |
| Please protect the FCC's net neutrality rules. As a librarian, freedom of information is paramount to my mind in important to our democracy. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Alayna Pierce | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian committed to providing access to information for all, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Holly Hubenschmidt | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. As a school librarian, I see that every child needs fair and equal access to net resources in order to excel in school. Please do all you can to support net neutrality! | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Barbara Wright | |
| ---------- | |
| I first wrote to the FCC about Net Neutrality in 2014, and it's very saddening to have to keep fighting this fight for an obvious public good. Here's what I wrote back in 2014, and little has changed: | |
| I have been a college level educator for over 20 years, and that work has led me to pursue a new career as a digital librarian. I have seen education revolutionized by the way that the internet has removed countless barriers to accessing information. As a result, we are in the midst of an incredible period of learning for young and old, rich and poor, across the globe. I find it devastating to imagine this progress coming to a screeching halt if Net Neutrality is destroyed. It is obvious to me in my role as an educator that internet access should be reclassified as a public utility, like telephone service or access to clean drinking water, so that our government can regulate the industry and take steps to prevent corporate greed from interfering with our intellectual freedom. My entire career has been based on work with non-profit organizations. As an emerging digital librarian, I am in the midst of building digital collections that provide valuable educational materials to anyone on the internet. Such collections, created by non-profits, can\xe2\x80\x99t afford to pay the fast-lane fees internet service providers will charge if net neutrality is ended. No one but greedy internet service providers can possibly think that this is fair. Libraries are both consumers and producers of information, and without regulation will face huge cost increases both as users and as providers. The end of net neutrality would be a devastating blow to our culture and our democracy. | |
| Once again, I will also be sending this letter to my members of Congress to appeal for their help to get the FCC to do the right thing. | |
| Gratefully, | |
| Arden Kirkland | |
| Arden Kirkland | |
| ---------- | |
| As both a librarian and a private citizen, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Jessica Kirschner | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| As a librarian, access to information is one of my core values. Ending net neutrality will hurt equality of access and is unacceptable. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kendal Bergman | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I must write to have my voice heard. We must protect the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules). I urge you to vote against any threats to unfettered access to the Internet for all people. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Jeanette Walker | |
| ---------- | |
| As a medical librarian and health care professional, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Jacqueline Leskovec | |
| ---------- | |
| I urge you to protect the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules). As a librarian, I work with students and the public daily. I see the power that free access to information has on the lives of students and the public. | |
| It would be devastating to libraries if ISPs have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. Libraries are battling shrinking budgets every year. Internet access is essential to many of our services and weakening the net neutrality rules will hurt libraries of all types. | |
| Do not let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Startups and small businesses will be greatly effected if net neutrality is ended and won't be able to compete. By ending net neutrality, you will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| If Chairman Pai goes through eith the plan, Congress needs to pass laws to protect net neutrality. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Karina Condra | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a librarian, I understand the rules both for myself, personally, and how it benefits the public as a whole. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kellie Tilton | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear FCC & Congress: | |
| I had thought that Disney & co. were the biggest bullies on the block with all that garbage about SOPA and PIPA a couple years ago. Apparently not! It is hard enough living in a capitalist society where the biggest concern we have is living alongside monopolies of all kinds--we don't need to make it EASIER for these bullies to get richer and richer. They don't need your help! That is why, ironically, they are able to GET your help in the first place, apparently. Sorry, did I say "get"? I meant "buy." Because that is what they are doing. | |
| Stop whoring your services out to the highest bidder! You can be better than this! | |
| Corporations are rich enough. More money will not buy happiness. Just have all those greedy executives convert to some religion or other, or find a new hobby--they don't need more money! | |
| LEAVE THE INTERNET ALONE. It works just fine the way it is! It's hard enough that you've put half of YOUR JOB on the backs of companies like Google and Amazon, to be watchdogs and state-specific tax collectors. Now you're going to make them victims of extortion? LEGAL victims of extortion? I mean, I wouldn't necessarily mind the huge, expensive internet companies being extorted--they have the money, but by punishing them, you're also punishing AAAAAALL the little guys out there. The mom whose blog money is paying for her kids' college education. The struggling writer trying desperately to make a living with his prose. Allowing these people to be extorted by these cable companies (which are already completely AWFUL to begin with--I am terrified because I'm moving away from a city that has Google Fiber to a city at the mercy of these giant Internet mob bosses.) is monstrous. Don't do it. | |
| KEEP THE INTERNET NEUTRAL. Do not let providers choose who they provide fast service to. | |
| I studied to be a librarian. One of the most important elements of a free, democratic society is a lack of CENSORSHIP. SOPA and PIPA would have essentially allowed government censorship of the internet. A lack of net neutrality is the only thing WORSE than that--CORPORATE CENSORSHIP!! I sound all doomsday-ish, because I am apparently seeing a negative consequence that you are unaware of, if you are remotely considering allowing cable companies to choose whom they provide fast service to. | |
| I very much hope that the web stays neutral. Sure, it has its problems and sometimes resembles the wild west. But companies who invest in fast servers for their websites deserve to have fast internet service. Those who hone and perfect their product to be fast, efficient, enjoyable, etc., deserve to be rewarded for that. The "little guys" who rely on the Internet and on their little websites for their bread and butter should not be extorted and punished for being small and poor. I've lived in Italy before. We don't want a cable company-mafia on our hands. It really, really sucks. | |
| KEEP THE INTERNET NEUTRAL! | |
| Sincerely, and (I hope) respectfully, | |
| Mary-Celeste Lewis Ricks | |
| Mary-Celeste Lewis | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian who believes in equal access to information for everyone who cares to learn, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them as you would the first books that led you into a world of learning, as the first librarian who touched your heart, as you would protect your own children's right to learn. | |
| I know you have gotten similar letters, but please take a moment to stop thinking about the money and start thinking about the fundamental change that will occur in America if this happens. This isn't even separate but equal, this is a direct slap in the face to everyone who is not among a certain income bracket. | |
| Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Mary Beth Widhalm | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian who believes in equal access to information for everyone who cares to learn, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them as you would the first books that led you into a world of learning, as the first librarian who touched your heart, as you would protect your own children's right to learn. | |
| I know you have gotten similar letters, but please take a moment to stop thinking about the money and start thinking about the fundamental change that will occur in America if this happens. This isn't even separate but equal, this is a direct slap in the face to everyone who is not among a certain income bracket. | |
| Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Mary Beth Widhalm | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I am in favor of net neutrality. No censorship, no slowing, no extra fees. The Internet is for everyone. | |
| Thank you, | |
| Elizabeth Karle | |
| Elizabeth Karle | |
| ---------- | |
| As a school library media specialist, I feel it is my responsibility to advocate for the freedom of ideas and information. Corporations should not have the power to censor public access to information for their own gain. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Please stand with me and other librarians to protect intellectual freedom in this country. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Tiffany Wagner | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, there are two things that cannot be tolerated, censorship and barriers to access of information. if net neutrality is not protected, those two things are guaranteed. I have devoted my life to making sure children, teenagers, and adults have the freedom to read what they want. Unfortunately if net neutrality is not protected companies are able to censor certain websites by putting them behind a paywall or slowing the access down so much that it discourages people from even trying to find out what they want to know in the first place. This leads to a barrier to access, the more information at a person's hands, the more knowledge they can potentially obtain, and knowledge is power as cliche as it sounds. This has the potential to discourage users from searching information about candidates they are hoping to vote for or researching topics of policy that are important to them. This isn't something as simple as slowing down my netflix streaming. This can potentially hurt small businesses, grass roots campaigns, and many other things that I haven't even conceived of yet. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them.. | |
| Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| -Jessica Brown- | |
| Jessica Brown | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. I have worked during my entire career to make information, of all types, accessible to everyone. Net neutrality aids in this effort, and to change this is to do a great disservice to citizens of the United States and people everywhere. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Trudi Jacobson | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m very concerned that the protections that are in place will be weakened if we change the way they’re enforced. As one of many reference librarians whose sine qua non is to provide free and uncluttered access to information to everyone, the limiting of how information is accessed is detrimental to our mission. I would support a new regulation style if it guarantees the same or better protections, but not if we lose any. | |
| ---------- | |
| I urge the FCC to keep the internet neutral and regulate ISPs as Common Carriers under Title 2. I rely on a free, open internet, both in my private life and in my profession as a librarian. This legislation only serves to harm Americans and any business doing commerce online. I urge the FCC to reconsider this disaster of a bill and allow Americans the freedom of association that they are accustomed to. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am absolutely shocked to hear about the efforts to repeal the laws protecting net neutrality. As a librarian, I strongly believe in equal access to information and in our right to personal privacy. Please don't put the power to exploit these values into the hands of corporations or the richest of the rich. It isn't theirs to dictate. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules are essential to protecting our individual equality, education, and access to information. Please don't ruin the web. | |
| In addition to making it possible for ISPs to sell "fast lanes" to big corporations and "slow lanes" to the rest of us, repealing these laws would make it possible for the major ISPs to censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Caroline Fraley | |
| ---------- | |
| I am absolutely shocked to hear about the efforts to repeal the laws protecting net neutrality. As a librarian, I strongly believe in equal access to information and in our right to personal privacy. Please don't put the power to exploit these values into the hands of corporations or the richest of the rich. It isn't theirs to dictate. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules are essential to protecting our individual equality, education, and access to information. Please don't ruin the web. | |
| In addition to making it possible for ISPs to sell "fast lanes" to big corporations and "slow lanes" to the rest of us, repealing these laws would make it possible for the major ISPs to censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Caroline Fraley | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a public librarian, I am against censorship. Therefore, I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Joseph N. Anderson | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a law librarian, I am very concerned about citizens having access to government and other information. In fact, this access is vital to any democracy, and rolling back net neutrality undermines this. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Todd T. Ito | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a law librarian, I am very concerned about citizens having access to government and other information. In fact, this access is vital to any democracy, and rolling back net neutrality undermines this. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Todd T. Ito | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a law librarian, I am very concerned about citizens having access to government and other information. In fact, this access is vital to any democracy, and rolling back net neutrality undermines this. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Todd T. Ito | |
| ---------- | |
| As a former librarian for a low-income population, The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Emily Kilduff | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian with a Masters Degree, I know that the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I've beem teaching students to do thorough, reliable research on the internet since before it became graphical (remember that twirling stick that you had to watch while you dialed up the web??). I know how important access to the web is for the intellectual development and education of all citizens and I strongly object to any restriction of access. How can we learn to think independently and wisely if we do not allow unimpeded access? | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Cary Lafaye | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| As a librarian, I work hard to make sure that information is freely available to all so we can have a robust democracy. Limiting the information people can access on the internet is like tearing down the public libraries - it leads to inequality. Those who can pay will still have what they want, but information should be freely available to all. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Nancy Kunz | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, the open exchange of information what I and my colleges see as The cornerstone of society. In this digital age, the right to information is available I oh through the internet. The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Alison Lashinsky | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| We should NEVER let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem (think of a vast library and the librarian decides which book you read and the order in which you get it, that is if you're a bibliophile, else chuck that analogy). Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Amit Dash | |
| ---------- | |
| Losing net neutrality would be censorship. As a librarian, I see every day how open internet gives users opportunities to learn, create, and make their voices heard. | |
| he FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Kylie Peters | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me, as a librarian, American citizen, and internet user. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, (and this is quite terrifying) ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Teri Vogel | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Finally, as a public librarian, I am committed to providing equal access to all of my patrons. The ability to access the internet, to access knowledge, is the greatest equalizer we have in this time of growing wealth inequality. Keeping the internet open and accessible to all is the backbone of opportunity, which is of course what America is all about. Keep the internet open to all. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sara Reed | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a retired librarian, and I started my career long before the existence of the Internet. Net neutrality rules not only provide access to all types of data and information but also ensure an informed citizenry. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please preserve Net Neutrality and Title II. As a public librarian, I see examples every single day of how people's lives are positively affected by open, unhindered internet access. Removing Net Neutrality or Title II will open up the possibility of internet providers making access decisions based on their own company's potential profits, effectively censoring the public's access to information. We cannot trust for-profit businesses to act in the best interest of the public. Rolling back Net Neutrality and/or Title II would be a huge mistake and a great disservice to the American people. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, equal access to information is paramount in creating informed citizens. Trusting ISPs to play fair when providing access to content is ridiculous - they are businesses, and do what is in their best interest, not what is best for the common good (unless it happens to align with their business interests). | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a librarian and educator. I have seen up close the detrimental effect that unequal access has on children and young adults. It is so important that access is equal for everyone. That is what has made the internet as powerful as it is today. Our society is already tilted too far towards corporate interests. Please don't make it worse. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please retain Net Neutrality by keeping ISPs under Title 2, to avoid conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Thank you! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I understand how important net neutrality it is to ensuring fair and equitable internet access for patrons in rural areas. With the lack of available competition in many areas, erasing net neutrality allows a monopoly to control the media consumption of the American public, which is absolutely un-American. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As an academic librarian I teach students and faculty to find, evaluate, and use the diverse information available on the Internet today. Free and open access to that information helps my students and faculty learn, research, and act as informed, involved citizens. This free and open access also helps to create more equitable learning opportunities for students and researchers from diverse backgrounds around the world. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to express my strong support for net neutrality. Paragraph 82 asks for input on whether throttling should be regulated. There should never be ISP throttling of the internet and ISPs must be regulated to assure that never happens. This is not a partisan issue--it is an American opportunity for all issue. I am a professional librarian whose library specializes in consulting with budding entrepreneurs of all ages. Limiting access to the internet would limit users' options, ideas, and creativity and their entrepreneurial future. That limits America's future disruptive enterprises. In addition, remember that libraries, non-profits and other internet publishers make sure that there is a level playing field for all Americans via internet publications and services. Don't undermine their ability to do so by giving ISPs the option of throttling their internet products. If you care about the development of new disruptive entrepreneurial ideas and equal opportunity for all you must preserve net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. It is utterly ridiculous to expect that these profit-driven companies are going to police themselves on this issue. Frankly, it's unfair to ask it--that's what government regulation is for. If we lose the battle for oversight and net neutrality, you will likely see a push to nationalize ISPs, as a strong case can be made that internet access is too important in people's lives today. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality makes it possible for citizens to access information and culture without concern that corporations are restricting their access to the information they want and need. Without net neutrality laws, profit will trump democratic access to information. As a librarian working in institutions of higher ed for close to twenty years, and as a past-president of the Art Libraries Society of North America, I am greatly concerned that content delivered by our nation's libraries - including open access content and public domain content - will be regulated to the "slow lane" by corporations, if net neutrality is diluted or deleted. This includes rich content ranging from cultural heritage to health data (paid for by citizens of the United States). To quote Julie Todaro, American Library Association president, "The ability of the internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better, and its role will only grow in our economy." I urge the FCC not to pursue threats to net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a computer scientist who has been using the internet since its inception (~25 years) for personal use, for use as a small businessman, and uses as an employee at a major University, I can see no benefit whatsoever to undermining or removing net neutrality. The only thing that internet service providers need to use for controlling the speed or latency of my service to any website is how much I am paying for my service overall. The content, source or destination of my uploads or downloads is none of their business other than preventing spam, phishing or other forms of fraud. If you remove net neutrality, it will become legal for the ISPs to do things that influence how information is made available, shared and used, much the same as if you made it legal for librarians to charge differently or manipulate book holds based on which books are being checked out of a library. | |
| Given the censorship by the current administration, now blatantly evident, in its attempts to control news and scientific research results about climate change, its own office traffic, and its daily agenda, it is easy to image that without net neutrality, the government, through pressure on industry favorites, would seek to squelch all websites that provide criticism or other 'real facts' that disagree with the storyline spin that the administration seeks to promote with 'alternate facts.' The FCC, in promoting the end of net neutrality, has not yet realized just how bad this could get, and how much it can be abused for greed or for political purposes. The net with neutrality is not broken. Don't try to fix it. Spend your efforts tracking down loopholes that allow spoofing, spam, fraud, and identity theft over the web instead. | |
| Stephen Deiss | |
| San Diego, CA | |
| ---------- | |
| I support strong net neutrality with Title II oversight of internet service providers. As a librarian and a citizen, I think that our access to the internet is too important to be left entirely to unregulated profit-seeking corporations. Access to information is a vital interest of our citizenry, and it is our government's responsibility to ensure that such interests are safeguarded. Removing net neutrality regulations would be shirking that responsibility. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| People all over the country rely on the internet for their educational needs. With the rise of online education from universities and charter schools, it's absolutely necessary that every student has access to as wide an array of websites as possible. If ISPs are allowed to slow down websites that can't pay a premium for a fast connection, I worry that educational websites will be hit the hardest. If schools are forced to pay higher prices to provide their online content, those costs will likely result in increased tuition for students, putting education out of the reach of low income Americans. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a public librarian. Many people don't realize that the library is the only source of Internet for a substantial number of their neighbors in the community. I am committed to the free access to information that is the cornerstone of library service. Ending net neutrality would stop that access and make us all poorer and less free. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a citizen and as a librarian I am STRONGLY in favor of net neutrality and oversight/regulation required to ensure ISPs provide access to all content and applications without favoring or blocking. | |
| Net neutrality is a foundational principle of the internet and it is a violation of the public trust for this administration to advocate for policy that hurts citizens of this country to benefit corporations, which have amply demonstrated their willingness to violate principles of equal access given any excuse to do so. | |
| ---------- | |
| It's my understanding that the FCC Chairman intends to reverse net neutrality rules and put big Internet Service Providers in charge of the internet. I am firmly against this action as a librarian and as a consumer. I believe that these ISPs will operate solely in their own interests (and for their own gain) and not in the interests of what is best for the American public. In the past 10 years, broadband companies have been guilty of: deliberately throttling internet traffic, squeezing customers with arbitrary data caps, misleading consumers about the meaning of “unlimited” internet, giving privileged treatment to companies they own, strong-arming cities to prevent them from giving their residents high-speed internet, and avoiding real competition at all costs. Consumers, small businesses, and all Americans deserve an open internet. So to restate my position: I am against the chairman's plan to reverse the net neutrality rules. I believe doing so will destroy a vital engine for innovation, growth, communication, and democracy. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because The equity of access to resources and information matters. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| In addition to using the internet for personal use, I am a librarian specializing in web development. I develop and design websites for ease of access to information. Please preserve equity of access to information. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The idea that reversing the Net Neutrality rules will "restore Internet freedom" is ridiculous. It would be more accurate to classify this as "restoring Internet freedom FOR ISPS", because nothing about rolling back the Net Neutrality regulations benefits consumers in any way. This administration has proven over and over again in a very short amount of time that it is on the side of big business, of corporations, or lobbyists, and of whoever has the deepest pockets - not on the side of American consumers. I will be writing my senators about this important issue as well, because the fact that the FCC is attempting to roll back regulations that were widely cheered by all groups that have a stake in free and open access to information (librarians, educators, researchers, and the general public) is shameful. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a student of Library Science-- I am studying to become a librarian. In my studies, I have learned quite a bit about the history and infrastructure of the Internet, and I have come to realize the extent to which the free and open access to information and streams of communication afforded by the Internet, as it currently stands, has entirely and positively altered the lives of people around the world. With net neutrality, people are able to easily access the world, its history, its cultures, and day-to-day activities, as well as their bank accounts, personal documents, schooling, and virtually every aspect of daily life. I ask of you, defend the freedom of the Internet and defend our freedom to know, to live our lives with ease, and not have our lives entirely ruled by massive corporations. Please, back the Title 2 Oversights on Internet Service Providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| It's my understanding that the FCC Chairman intends to reverse net neutrality rules and put big Internet Service Providers in charge of the internet. I am firmly against this action as a librarian, and as a firm believer in democracy. I believe that these ISPs will operate solely in their own interests and not in the interests of what is best for the American public. In the past 10 years, broadband companies have been guilty of: deliberately throttling internet traffic, squeezing customers with arbitrary data caps, misleading consumers about the meaning of “unlimited” internet, giving privileged treatment to companies they own, strong-arming cities to prevent them from giving their residents high-speed internet, and avoiding real competition at all costs. Consumers, small businesses, and all Americans deserve an open internet. So to restate my position: I am against the chairman's plan to reverse the net neutrality rules. I believe doing so will destroy a vital engine for innovation, growth, and communication. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, strong net neutrality laws backed by Title II oversight of ISPs is very important. Net neutrality means that people can access all information. It is an important aspect of freedom of speech and intellectual freedom. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and concerned private citizen, the FCC must preserve the core principles of net neutrality as articulated in the 2015 Open Internet Order and maintain the Title II classification of ISPs. Millions of citizens from all political backgrounds support this, so the FCC must do the right thing and leave the Open Internet Order and Title II classification as-is to truly preserve an open Internet and equal access for all. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing in support of retaining the 2015 net neutrality rules. I am a community college librarian and both create and license online educational content for students at a public, 2 year college. Neither our college nor our students can afford to pay a premium for access or otherwise compete with commercial providers for bandwidth. Weakening the 2015 net neutrality order would either make online education less affordable or degrade the quality of delivery, or both. I urge the FCC to retain the 2015 rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The American Library Association asks all Members of Congress to: | |
| 1) PRESERVE the core principles of network neutrality articulated in the FCC’s 2015 Open | |
| Internet Order, which protects free speech online, education, research, and innovation (see | |
| reverse). | |
| 2) ENDORSE the network neutrality framework adopted in the Open Internet Order to | |
| support the needs of libraries, consumers and higher education. | |
| Why is this issue important for libraries and for the millions of patrons they serve? | |
| • Libraries and librarians of every kind are dedicated to providing maximum and equitable | |
| access to information of all kinds. Accordingly, we are committed to preserving the | |
| unimpeded flow of information over the Internet – society’s primary open platform for information | |
| exchange, intellectual discourse, civic engagement, creativity, innovation, teaching, | |
| research and learning – and believe that equitable access to it is critical to our nation’s social, | |
| cultural, educational and economic well-being. | |
| • The Open Internet Order enables libraries to fully serve the public by legally prohibiting | |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from speeding or slowing selected Internet traffic, blocking | |
| access to certain web sites or applications, or otherwise discriminating against certain | |
| Internet services for commercial reasons. | |
| • Commercial ISPs should operate their networks in a neutral manner without interfering with | |
| the transmission or content of Internet communications. Without the framework set forth by the | |
| FCC, however, nothing would require commercial ISPs to be neutral. They could act as | |
| gatekeepers to maximize profit. | |
| • Replacing the clear legal protections of the Open Internet Order with unenforceable, | |
| voluntary net neutrality “rules” would threaten the high-bandwidth applications and services | |
| that enable real-time collaboration, content creation, sharing, and learning by educational | |
| and other community institutions, including libraries, which cannot afford to pay for | |
| prioritized access. | |
| • ALA strongly supports the Open Internet Order because it ensures that libraries and our | |
| millions of users will not be consigned to the “slow” lane of the Internet. We urge Congress | |
| not to alter or eliminate it. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I strongly support Net Neutrality and continued Title II FCC oversight of ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian | |
| ---------- | |
| We need net neutrality so that librarians can help patrons find health information | |
| ---------- | |
| As a long-time librarian | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian. I know how vital the internet is to everyday transactions. Creating expensive versions most people can't access is a terrible idea. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired librarian I know how important unfettered online access is. Net neutrality is essential. | |
| ---------- | |
| Don't kill net neutrality. We deserve a free and open Internet - one where the flow of data is determined by the interests of Internet users | |
| ---------- | |
| I support strong "Net Neutrality" rules backed by Title II. As a librarian, it my mission to do what I can to facilitate access to information whether online or in-person. Our most underserved and underrepresented communities would be most severely impacted by a rollback of these measures. I’m worried that the protections that are in place will be weakened if they are changed the way that they’re enforced. I would support a new regulation style if it guarantees the same or better protections, but NOT if we lose any. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please, please, do not continue with the action to rollback net neutrality. As a librarian I see many people every day use my computers because they don't have the internet at home. If you allow the loss of net neutrality you will make it even harder for lower income Americans to access the internet fairly. Not just to watch videos or play games but to keep in touch with family members far away or to fill out job applications online. The not-for-profit entities will get squeezed out of the "pipeline" in favor of those that are able to pay more for the service thereby preventing someone from uploading their application or contacting their families. For those of us in a more rural area, the internet is not always available when we need it. Please don't make this situation worse because "BIG MONEY" wants to have control of the internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| Don't kill net neutrality. We deserve a free and open Internet - one where the flow of data is determined by the interests of Internet users | |
| ---------- | |
| Don't kill net neutrality. We deserve a free and open Internet - one where the flow of data is determined by the interests of Internet users | |
| ---------- | |
| Don't kill net neutrality. We deserve a free and open Internet - one where the flow of data is determined by the interests of Internet users | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired high school librarian | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and citizen, I wish to strongly urge the FCC to leave current rules and regulations regarding "net neutrality" in place. We do NOT need a two-tier internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| I have seen education revolutionized by the way that the internet has removed countless barriers to accessing information. As a result, we are in the midst of an incredible period of learning for young and old, rich and poor, across the globe. I find it devastating to imagine this progress coming to a screeching halt if Net Neutrality is destroyed. It is obvious to me in my role as an educator that internet access should be reclassified as a public utility, like telephone service or access to clean drinking water, so that our government can regulate the industry and take steps to prevent corporate greed from interfering with our intellectual freedom. I have been a college level educator for over 20 years, and that work has led me to pursue a new career as a digital librarian. My entire career has been based on work with non-profit organizations. As an emerging digital librarian, I am in the midst of building digital collections that provide valuable educational materials to anyone on the internet. Such collections, created by non-profits, can't afford to pay the fast-lane fees internet service providers will charge if net neutrality is ended. No one but greedy internet service providers can possibly think that this is fair. Libraries are both consumers and producers of information, and without regulation will face huge cost increases both as users and as providers. The end of net neutrality would be a devastating blow to our culture and our democracy. | |
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| As a public librarian serving children and families, many of which are living in poverty, net neutrality is important to me because it promotes affordable access. Allowing companies to create monopolies on access and service priorities will not serve public libraries and other noncommercial entities who are directly helping people in poverty apply for jobs, learn new skills, practice for workplace exams, connect with family in other parts of the world, and entertain their children. Bandwidth and access should be offered on equal terms to all willing to pay. | |
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| As a librarian, net neutrality is crucial to the work we do in our communities. Equal access to information (and the internet) for EVERYONE is a cornerstone of our industry and democracy as a whole. | |
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| I support net neutrality, and oppose the FCC's motion to roll back regulations. As a librarian we use the internet to help people find jobs, housing, vital legal forms and connect information and people. Our work depends heavily on the Internet and we cannot afford to function in a world without net neutrality. I strongly urge you to stop the motion to roll back regulations. | |
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| I'm a public librarian and see every single day why net neutrality is essential to our American lives. | |
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| Net Neutrality is not negotiable. ItÛªs essential to everything we need in our society and democracy ÛÓ from educational and economic opportunities to political organizing and dissent. | |
| As a librarian, I know how important equal and open access to the Internet is, especially to underserved communities. | |
| Millions of people fought for over a decade to secure lasting Net Neutrality protections. We will not accept anything less. We urge you to reject any attacks on real Net Neutrality. | |
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| As a citizen, it is important that I remain informed and connected. As a retired librarian I know that most of us rely upon the internet for quick information in health emergencies, connections professionally, and, sometimes, as a way of supplementing income. | |
| We have a right to equal access. We will not accept anything less. | |
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| As a librarian I feel Net Neutrality is extremely important, especially since I live in a rural area and the Internet is a major source of information and access and should not be affected by the major providers. | |
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| Anything less than net neutrality is censorship--and I'm a librarian, and you know how we feel about that! Censorship destroys freedom--press, assembly, and speech! | |
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| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Jonathan Boyne | |
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| Aa a librarian and mother of two I am deeply concerned about the availability of objective platforms for information retrieval and research. Information is power but it shouldn't belong only to the rich. Democracy depends upon you fighting for net neutrality. | |
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| As a public librarian, I don't want the internet sold out to the highest bidder. I believe in freedom of access and information on the web that we provide freely to the public. | |
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| As a retired librarian, I continue to fight for equal access to information for all. | |
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| As a librarian and an educator, access to information is a core value. Net Neutrality is at the heart of that access. | |
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| Open access to information for myself and the public I serve as a librarian is absolutely critical. | |
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| I am a librarian and a writer. As such, I depend on the net for information and to communicate. I also use the web to stay in touch with family and friends and for creative commons. | |
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| Net Neutrality is essential to equal opportunity education and open access to information. In my two professions-- | |
| librarian and a teacher-- net neutrality is fundamental. | |
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| As a librarian in a public library, I see every day the need for a neutral internet. The harm removing net neutrality would do to members of the public seeking authoritative information is incalculable. The harm to our democracy is comparable. | |
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| I prefer to decide what I view on-line and do not want that authority handed to my internet service provider. Any ISP is not entitled to control my access just as any librarian is not entitled to limit my access to books available in his or her library. | |
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| The FCC has a responsibility to place the common good above all other considerations, especially those of corporations. Tim Berners-Lee did not cash in when he invented the Web. As a city public librarian I know the inestimable value the internet has brought to all of us. Please keep net neutrality in place for the greater good. | |
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| I support Net Neutrality and Title II status. This issue is very important to me as an educator and librarian. | |
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| I support net neutrality. Cable companies should not be able to charge more for different internet speeds, slow down certain services, like Netflix, etc. Cable companies have enriched themselves enough as it! | |
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| The extent of Americans' Internet access should not be dependent on the price they pay or the broadband company they choose! As a librarian, I know how vital access to information is for Americans, and when people can't get to the resources on the Internet that others ca, those people miss out on life-changing opportunities. Please preserve Net Neutrality for all. Our future as a leader among nations depends on it. | |
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| My name is Garrett Gottschalk, and I strongly support the current classification of Internet Service Providers under Title II. I am a digital services librarian for a small public library district in the Chicago suburbs, and I believe that rescinding this regulatory framework would irrevocably harm our ability to provide unfettered and open access to the Internet for our patrons. | |
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| Net neutrality needs to be supported by Title 2 to keep ISPs on a level playing field. Open access can only be truly assured by the constraints of Title 2. With the Internet such an integral and vital part of American life, we cannot let corporate interests interfere with net neutrality. Please keep Title 2 in place to protect net neutrality. Thank you. | |
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| As a public librarian of the Valley Community Library located in Peckville, PA, it is extremely important to maintain net neutrality. On behalf of the library's patrons, many of whom use the library's computers as they have no access to the Internet at home, I strongly urge you to uphold net neutrality. Losing this basic right will negatively impact the majority of citizens in the United States as they already struggle to afford this utility. Libraries are already fighting large financial cuts and cannot afford another major loss that will greatly affect its patrons. | |
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| As a tech instructor, librarian, and consumer, I strongly support net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. | |
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| As a community college librarian I can attest that our students directly benefit from net neutrality. As more information sources are shifting to digital access and digital subscription services to supplement or even completely replace print resources, our costs are getting higher each year. We can no longer update our resources as funds are available choosing which collection can wait another year for newer content. We have to pay a subscription service every year just to keep existing content. Large swaths of our resources are online only for which some students can barely afford the tools needed to access and utilize. Have you ever tried to open a new program on an old computer and had to install 20+ updates just to find out your system does not support the minimum system requirements to open a "simple" website? Our students run across this problem all the time. To complicate issues further with "internet slow lanes" and "paid prioritization" would leave our students with further barriers to accessing needed resources for their studies and career advancement. | |
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| As a librarian, I support the American Librarians Association statement on this matter. Libraries will most likely be negatively affected by a change in the current regulations. A "Free-market" system as proposed, will NOT preserve internet freedom, but create an unequal playing field—the majority of the country has zero or one internet provider, so would have no market choice if their rates were increased. | |
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| Before leaving office, the Obama Administration rammed through a massive scheme that gave the federal government broad regulatory control over the internet. That misguided policy decision is threatening innovation and hurting broadband investment in one of the largest and most important sectors of the U.S. economy. | |
| I support the Federal Communications Commissions decision to roll back Title II and allow for free market principles to guide our digital economy. | |
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| I support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. I reject the premise that Title I oversight is sufficient. It should not be rolled back. Net neutrality is essential to our society. I am a librarian and would be happy to comment further on the idea of equal access to information if it would be helpful. | |
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| Before leaving office, the Obama Administration rammed through a massive scheme that gave the federal government broad regulatory control over the internet. That misguided policy decision is threatening innovation and hurting broadband investment in one of the largest and most important sectors of the U.S. economy. | |
| I support the Federal Communications Commissions decision to roll back Title II and allow for free market principles to guide our digital economy. | |
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| Net neutrality means the poorest and most vulnerable Americans can access information on a equal footing with people who9 can afford a premium on the same access. As a librarian, this also means that the many people we serve that already can't afford home access will have to either increase their tax payments or accept reduced service at the library. | |
| Really getting tired of business profits being more important than citizens. | |
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| Committing any action that endangers net nutrality is tantamount to the burning of the New Library of Alexandria. The internet is the sum total of human knowledge, and handing its oversight to people with agendas will never end well. I'm fine with the librarian recommending me a book; I'm not okay with the librarian handing out only certain chapters of my preferred books on their time table. | |
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| I strongly believe in and support net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. As librarians and advocates for information research, my husband and I both advocated on behalf of all internet users and researchers for freely accessible, open access to information resources without interference of government, corporation, or other parties. Information wants to be free. Make it so. | |
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| Please preserve Net Neutrality, Title II Oversight! As a librarian I know that access to all information is the key to knowledge and everyone deserves equal access. No service provider should control the flow of information based on who can afford more of it! | |
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| As a librarian, educator and citizen I vehemently oppose any move to reclassify ISPs as anything other than common carriers. Preserving and ptotecting net neutrality is critical to ensuring open access to information. There is not enough competition amongst ISPs to think that you are doing anything other than granting ISPs broad powers to charge consumers and businesses for preferential treatment. Your job is to represent the public good, not the good of corporations. The citizens of this country have spoken before and we are speaking again. We want net neutrality and Internet access that is treated as the communication utility it is. | |
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| As a librarian in a largely lower- to middle-class area, I can tell you firsthand the importance of net neutrality, particularly to protect students and adult learners who require fair access to the internet in order to better themselves and help their families. The allure of increasing revenue from other large companies who will pay to have their content prioritized will only create a more partisan and easily-manipulated internet ecosystem. Please do not let their lobbying eschew the web in their favor. You will be doing irreparable harm to those who are already working hard from a significant disadvantage. | |
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| As a librarian and archivist who has conducted online research daily for public and private research facilities | |
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| It is critical to all that I do. I live in a retirement community, where I serve as the librarian. Everything that we do is somehow dependent on the internet---communications, orders of materials, e-mail with residents and staff. WE NEED NET NEUTRALITY! | |
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| As a librarian, my main role is to connect people with the information they need. An open internet is essential to this. The FCC has in the past upheld net neutrality protections -- it needs to continue to ensure equitable access to online applications, information and services for all Americans. | |
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| The Open internet is essential for my work as a librarian. I use the internet at home to order products, to pay bills, to get the news, to access needed information. It has become a necessary part of my every day life. | |
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| As the librarian at a small, rural public library, I see patrons every day who count on open access to the Internet to carry on their daily business. Moreover, it will be an order of magnitude more difficult to do my job without that same easy and open access. | |
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| I can't afford other options, and use it all day long to keep in touch with friends (email) and use it as my personal resource librarian to keep me up to date on my many interests. | |
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| I am a librarian with the largest online library reference service, and we and our patrons worldwide use and need open internet for learning. | |
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| I am an academic librarian. I'm a librarian because I love the job; not for the paycheck. So, open internet access is important on many levels. First, as a consumer, high costs for internet access at home and a clear monopoly in our market impact my ability to do research needed for my job, for my partner to perform duties related to work, and for both of us to access the internet for personal projects. Open Internet at my workplace means that our library avoids paying exorbitant costs for a product that we use every day. Our subscription fees for publications increase by $450k each year and our budget doesn't increase. We rely heavily on databases to supplement the journals missing from our collection; without net neutrality our university students lose the chance to become better researchers. Their loss impacts our community because we are no longer able to produce graduates with the best information. Keep net neutrality. | |
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| In 2015, Chairman Tom Wheelers Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed restrictive Title II, utility-style regulations under the guise of an open internet. Not only have these regulations inhibited innovation in the internet ecosystem, they hurt taxpayers and consumers by expanding the regulatory reach of the FCC and limiting investment in internet infrastructure. We cannot allow this revolutionary tool to be bogged down with excessive government interference. | |
| It is past time for the FCC, an agency that is funded by American taxpayers, to free the internet of burdensome regulations. By rolling back the misguided 2015 regulations we can restore an unrestricted and truly open internet. I thank the Commissioners for considering these comments during the reply period. | |
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| Please continue to support Net Neutrality. | |
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| In 2015, Chairman Tom Wheelers Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed restrictive Title II, utility-style regulations under the guise of an open internet. Not only have these regulations inhibited innovation in the internet ecosystem, they hurt taxpayers and consumers by expanding the regulatory reach of the FCC and limiting investment in internet infrastructure. We cannot allow this revolutionary tool to be bogged down with excessive government interference. | |
| It is past time for the FCC, an agency that is funded by American taxpayers, to free the internet of burdensome regulations. By rolling back the misguided 2015 regulations we can restore an unrestricted and truly open internet. I thank the Commissioners for considering these comments during the reply period. | |
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| In 2015, Chairman Tom Wheelers Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed restrictive Title II, utility-style regulations under the guise of an open internet. Not only have these regulations inhibited innovation in the internet ecosystem, they hurt taxpayers and consumers by expanding the regulatory reach of the FCC and limiting investment in internet infrastructure. We cannot allow this revolutionary tool to be bogged down with excessive government interference. | |
| It is past time for the FCC, an agency that is funded by American taxpayers, to free the internet of burdensome regulations. By rolling back the misguided 2015 regulations we can restore an unrestricted and truly open internet. I thank the Commissioners for considering these comments during the reply period. | |
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| As a librarian, I passionately support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. Please do not allow Internet Service Providers to destroy our open internet by 'trusting' them to do the right thing. Net Neutrality has encouraged both small and big business and allowed creativity in a space that has changed our world. Do not allow selfishness and greed to guide your policy. | |
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| I am writing to ask you to preserve net neutrality and title II classification for ISPs. As an internet user, web developer, and librarian, my daily work is 100% reliant on access to information on the web. I must be able to access websites, particularly those for: databases my library subscribes to so I can help students do research; source code and tutorials so I can build, and teach students to build, websites; communication platforms so I can stay in touch with my professional community as we all work through problems together. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to decide what I can do online. I don't trust a small group of companies to voluntarily decide not to throttle my web traffic when it might go against their bottom line. | |
| Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. | |
| Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. The very companies that are pushing for deregulation now would not have survived if they had been subject to throttling when they were trying to get off the ground. | |
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| As a librarian I am strongly in favor of continued enforcement of Net Neutrality. Access to information should not be determined by socioeconomic status or any other factor. To continue to have an American society the fosters equality and the persuit of knowledge and information we should not have a biased or limited access to it. | |
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| As a public librarian, I am intimately familiar with the plight of the have-nots and the ever-widening technology and information gap in the United States. Net Neutrality is VITAL to our continued status as free citizens of a functioning democracy. Equal access to information is a right that every person in the US should have, and should not have to continuously fight for year after year. Let's end the constant uncertainty caused by large corporations and their insidious mergers, greed, and criminal intention to harvest our personal information, and maintain Net Neutrality! | |
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| As a Librarian I feel strongly about maintaining Net Neutrality. Please do not eliminate the current protections that make free expression and innovation on the internet possible. An internet with “slow lanes” would hurt libraries and the communities they serve. | |
| I hope the FCC will grant additional time for a thoughtful and thorough analysis of the opinions in the docket and I support the American Library Association's request to that effect. People, companies, and institutions must be given the maximum amount of time to sort through the 10 million comments and issues in the record. | |
| In conclusion, I don’t believe changes are necessary to the current net neutrality rules, which are aligned with our principles as librarians for an open internet. | |
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| I want to urge the FCC not to eliminate the current protections that keep the internet free and accessible for everyone. I am a librarian in Oakland, CA, and a freely flowing internet is crucial to what I do and essential to my community. We need to freely access any information we want or need, without barriers and without corporations impacting what we can access by making some information easier to access and while other information is throttled. | |
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| As a librarian in a public library, I know that ending net neutrality will harm the free flow of information and therefore, democracy. Preserve it! | |
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| As a librarian in a public library, I know that ending net neutrality will harm the free flow of information and therefore, democracy. Preserve it! | |
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| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
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| The current FCC regulatory scheme known as "Title II" represents an unprecedented increase in government control over the internet. Such over-regulation is hurting our economy and suffocating innovation. | |
| I support Chairman Pai's plan to return to a commonsense regulatory framework that allows for the internet to grow without useless government interference. The internet has flourished for decades without the heavy hand of government over-regulation. Its time we return to what works. | |
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| I ram a 70 year old retired computer teacher and teacher-librarian. Students to net neutrality rules to access the internet! | |
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| As a professor of teacher librarians, I prepare my grad students to teach ALL our students digital literacy and citizenship. In California it's a state mandate as part of lifelong learning. To equity reasons, and full participation in the civic life, Net neutrality is vital -- like 1 citizen 1 vote. | |
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| Currently I am a Coordinator of Educational Technology at the Orange Unified School District in CA. I have worked 9 years in the classroom in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, 6 years at the Orange County Department of Education and now 2 years at the Orange Unified School District. I even worked with America Online and was there when they hit their 500,000 customer. Every aspect of my career and life have been impacted by the use of the internet. When I was in the classroom it was assigning research, developing projects and sharing content before teachers even knew that it was possible. I led the school into deciding that a computer lab would be a great investment so students could grow their internet skills back in 1999. At the Orange County Department of Education I developed online courses, shared trainings via Webinars, created national certification programs with people all over the state through collaborative online processes. I then taught and shared those courses all through the internet. I have been a member of iNACOL, CUE, TICAL, and CETPA. All leadership programs about the use of technology and education. My students have included children of all ages, parents, teachers and even superintendents. | |
| The internet's power comes from its freedom and the collective that it has fostered. People can now pull information from all over the world to compare, grow, and develop ideas that were not thought possible in the past. We have 12 year old children creating non profit foundations to help other children see their potential. We have unlimited possibilities for budding entrepreneurs as they develop products that can be crowd sourced and then offered out to untapped audiences. The United States is built on the idea of innovation and leading the world in ideas on financial success. When a nation decides that it is more important to control the access to that information instead of letting it flow you begin to constrict the ideas and opportunities of its people. This then leads to fewer ideas and eventually stagnation. In a land of opportunity the internet is another frontier that does not need to be restricted it needs to be explored. Store fronts need to be developed to provide more opportunities for economic growth. Restricting access to the horses, the ships and trains that allow people to these destination makes no sense. I hope you can see the analogy between settling the frontier and our current exploration of the Internet. | |
| As for when people arrive at their destinations on the Internet we should not be afraid of what they will find. People have faced numerous problems when settling a new frontier but there was always voices of reason in these settlements. They were teachers, librarians, scholars, and even parents that helped guide discussions on what is appropriate and helpful in building our society. | |
| The government should not be controlling the flow of information but expanding it. There should be opportunities provided by the government to find the best resources that exist for our populations so that the settlement of this new frontier becomes a truly viable entity for the world. It has done a great job at this so far without any government intervention. | |
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| I am strongly FOR saving net neutrality rules backed by Title II. As a librarian, I see how important web access is to our community - and it should be fair access to all regardless of what companies they (or we) use. | |
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| I specially support strong net neutrality backed by Titile II oversight of ISPs. | |
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| I write to address paragraph 82, Need for the No-Throttling Rule. This rule is still needed. As a librarian with experience in public libraries, I have seen clearly, every day in the library, that Internet access is now not a luxury or a plaything, but an absolute necessity for life. It's practically impossible to apply for a job, make a necessary appointment, or apply to a school for needed education without access to the Internet. The No-Throttling Rule is essential to ensure that everyone - not only the rich and powerful - will have access to services and to the chance to learn and thrive. | |
| Many schools now provide education through the Internet, and for Americans who are attending school while working, online education is the best choice. I myself retrained for a new career by attending Drexel University to earn my Masters in Library and Information online. This allowed me to "attend" class on my own schedule, and get a first-rate degree while still working full-time. Attending school online requires good bandwidth to stream lectures and download long media for study. If my provider had been able to throttle service, I might not have been able to complete my degree. The No-Throttling Rule is essential to ensure that everyone - not only the rich and powerful - will have access to education and training. | |
| Many public news sources have moved online. Some communities are no longer served by traditional newspapers, and get much of their news, including local government news, online. In a democracy, the electorate must be informed. I don't want to live in a country where an Internet provider gets to decide which news sources I can view, and which will be throttled to death. That would no longer be the United States of America. The No-Throttling Rule is essential to ensure that all members of the electorate - not only the rich and powerful - have free, clear access to the information that will allow them to exercise their basic rights to vote and choose wisely. | |
| Thank you for your consideration of this comment. | |
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| As a teacher, and librarian this issue matters to me and my students. | |
| It's important that everyone have equal access to information and education, regardless of geography or socio-economic status. The internet needs to remain neutral - and opening these doors for corporations to walk through and begin to 'upcharge' or 'slow down' content would be a terrible thing for students across our country. | |
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| As a U.S. citizen and librarian loyal to the First Amendment I fully support net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISPs. (I'm telling you, never piss off a librarian.) | |
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| The American Library Association asks all Members of Congress to: | |
| 1) PRESERVE the core principles of network neutrality articulated in the FCC’s 2015 Open | |
| Internet Order, which protects free speech online, education, research, and innovation (see | |
| reverse). | |
| 2) ENDORSE the network neutrality framework adopted in the Open Internet Order to | |
| support the needs of libraries, consumers and higher education. | |
| Why is this issue important for libraries and for the millions of patrons they serve? | |
| • Libraries and librarians of every kind are dedicated to providing maximum and equitable | |
| access to information of all kinds. Accordingly, we are committed to preserving the | |
| unimpeded flow of information over the Internet – society’s primary open platform for information | |
| exchange, intellectual discourse, civic engagement, creativity, innovation, teaching, | |
| research and learning – and believe that equitable access to it is critical to our nation’s social, | |
| cultural, educational and economic well-being. | |
| • The Open Internet Order enables libraries to fully serve the public by legally prohibiting | |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from speeding or slowing selected Internet traffic, blocking | |
| access to certain web sites or applications, or otherwise discriminating against certain | |
| Internet services for commercial reasons. | |
| • Commercial ISPs should operate their networks in a neutral manner without interfering with | |
| the transmission or content of Internet communications. Without the framework set forth by the | |
| FCC, however, nothing would require commercial ISPs to be neutral. They could act as | |
| gatekeepers to maximize profit. | |
| • Replacing the clear legal protections of the Open Internet Order with unenforceable, | |
| voluntary net neutrality “rules” would threaten the high-bandwidth applications and services | |
| that enable real-time collaboration, content creation, sharing, and learning by educational | |
| and other community institutions, including libraries, which cannot afford to pay for | |
| prioritized access. | |
| • ALA strongly supports the Open Internet Order because it ensures that libraries and our | |
| millions of users will not be consigned to the “slow” lane of the Internet. We urge Congress | |
| not to alter or eliminate it. | |
| LIBRARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION NET NEUTRALITY PRINCIPLES | |
| Ensure Neutrality on All Public Networks: Neutrality is an essential characteristic of broadband Internet | |
| access services provided to the general public. These neutrality principles must apply to all commercial ISPs, | |
| regardless of underlying transmission technology (e.g., wireline or wireless) and regardless of local market | |
| conditions. | |
| Prohibit Blocking: Commercial ISPs should not be permitted to block access to legal web sites, resources, | |
| applications, or Internet-based services. | |
| Protect Against Unreasonable Discrimination: Every person in the United States should be able to access | |
| legal content, applications, and services over the Internet, without unreasonable discrimination by commercial | |
| ISPs. This will ensure that such providers do not give favorable transmission to their affiliated content | |
| providers or discriminate against particular Internet services based on the identity of the user, the content of | |
| the information, or the type of service being provided. “Unreasonable discrimination” is the standard in Title II | |
| of the Communications Act; the FCC has generally applied this standard to ensure that commercial ISPs do | |
| not treat similar customers in significantly different ways. | |
| Prohibit Paid Prioritization: Commercial ISPs should not be permitted to sell prioritized transmission to | |
| certain content, applications, and service providers over other Internet traffic sharing the same network | |
| facilities. Prioritizing certain Internet traffic inherently disadvantages other content, applications, and service | |
| providers—including those from higher education and libraries that serve vital public interests. | |
| Prevent Degradation: Commercial ISPs should not be permitted to degrade the transmission of Internet | |
| content, applications, or service providers, either intentionally or by failing to invest in adequate broadband | |
| capacity to accommodate reasonable traffic growth. | |
| Enable Reasonable Network Management: Commercial ISPs should be able to engage in reasonable | |
| network management to address issues such as congestion, viruses, and spam as long as such actions are | |
| consistent with these principles. Policies and procedures should ensure that legal network traffic is managed | |
| in a content-neutral manner. | |
| Provide Transparency: Commercial ISPs should disclose network management practices publicly and in a | |
| manner that: 1) allows users as well as content, application, and service providers to make informed choices, | |
| and 2) allows policy-makers to determine whether the practices are consistent with these network neutrality | |
| principles. This rule does not require disclosure of essential proprietary information or information that | |
| jeopardizes network security. | |
| Continue Capacity-Based Pricing of Broadband Internet Access Connections: Commercial ISPs may | |
| continue to charge consumers and content, application, and service providers for their broadband | |
| connections to the Internet, and may receive greater compensation for greater capacity chosen by the | |
| consumer or content, application, and service provider. | |
| Adopt Enforceable Policies: Policies and rules to enforce these principles should be clearly stated and | |
| transparent. Any commercial ISP that is found to have violated these policies or rules should be subject to | |
| penalties, after being adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. | |
| Accommodate Public Safety: Reasonable accommodations to these principles can be made based on | |
| evidence that such accommodations are necessary for public safety, health, law enforcement, national | |
| security, or emergency situations. | |
| Maintain the Status Quo on Private Networks: Consistent with the FCC’s long-standing principles and | |
| practices, and the 2015 Order, the Commission should decline to apply the Open Internet rules to premises | |
| operators, such as coffee shops and bookstores, and private end-user networks, such as those of libraries | |
| and universities. As the FCC has historically found, end users should be free to decide how they use the | |
| broadband services they obtain from network operators and commercial ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| I would like to express my strong opposition to any ruling or regulation that would have the effect of restricting the free flow of digital information, or favoring commercial providers. As a retired librarian, I can assure you that average people value and depend on free and fast access to information. Commercial providers sharing the Internet infrastructure with the rest of the global population do not deserve to be able to edge out smaller competitors on what is essentially a publicly developed and maintained network. Please continue to support Net Neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I am committed to ensuring that all Americans have equitable access to the information they need to lead educated and productive lives. By undoing the Net Neutrality provisions enacted during the last Administration, the FCC will no longer be able to ensure that the Internet access we all rely on in our daily lives is protected. | |
| At this point, the Internet should be considered a utility; we rely on it in the same way that we rely on electricity, heat, and clean water. Indeed, the best ISP I have had the pleasure of working with was run by a local utility company: SELCO, the Shrewsbury Electric Light Company (Shrewsbury, MA). We never experienced the type of horrible customer service and service outages that I have since encountered under Charter and Comcast. My personal and professional experiences have led me to firmly believe that this will not be a "win" for consumers; it will only be a "win" for the powerful conglomerates that already own too much of our lives. | |
| ---------- | |
| Speaking as a librarian and educator, net neutrality is an incredibly important aspect of our national identity, and is a major part of free speech, press, and even commerce. Allowing ISPs to throttle content based on their own determinations should absolutely be avoided. ISPs have had to be stopped in court from doing this, and this proposed change could open up further abuses. I also worry about throttling from mobile providers in disingenuously representing "unlimited" plans that actually have data caps. Any kind of throttling against net neutrality promotes monopoly on services, which is a major step backwards for the American way. I urge you not to act against net neutrality if we want to maintain values of American exceptionalism and ingenuitive spirit in an information economy. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need strong net neutrality. As a librarian I believe in free and equal access to information for all people. Internet Service Providers have a profit based mentality which is not compatible with the needs of low income groups of people who need this information the most. An educated society is a great society. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I believe that freedom of information is necessary for a free society. To this end, net neutrality must be preserved. Without it, the internet will become, like so many other forums, a place where those with the most money have the loudest voices, and the open exchange of diverse ideas that leads to innovation and growth will be lost. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m worried that the protections that are in place will be weakened if we change the way they’re enforced. I would support a new regulation style if it guarantees the same or better protections, but not if we lose any. The current system IS NOT broken. It doesn't need to be fixed. The ISP's just want to increase their profits. | |
| I am a librarian, most public libraries will not be able to pay for 'premium' access - so all the people who depend on public libraries for internet access including school children, the poor and otherwise disadvantaged - will be relegated to the slow lanes. We should not be stratifying the internet based on ability to pay. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian I strongly support net neutrality. Do not weaken with any changes. | |
| ---------- | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian I know the importance access to information. Information is power. Large corporations should not be the arbiters of who has access to what information, that control should rest with the people's elected representatives. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a high school librarian I want my students to be able to equal access to all (appropriate) information in order to practice their critical thinking skills. I want them to decide which source is more trustworthy, more relevant, more accurate. I don't want money to determine who they read most or first. If those who can pay have a quicker pathway to my students than the smaller voices will not be heard, valued, recognized. This is not democracy. This is not free speech. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is a public utility and we need to keep it that way. It's essential that providers not be allowed to prioritize traffic based on their own goals. As a librarian, I want to make sure everyone I work with - and everyone I don't! - is able to access information on the internet without provider interference. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an academic librarian, I am frustrated with the intent of ISP's wanting to restrict the free and open internet. The internet is and should always be an open source of communication for everyone to use. Having the government and ISP's stick their noses in yet another attempt to control something which they have no right to is abhorrent. I oppose it. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I believe it is our duty to protect the right that all citizens have access to the information they desire. Without the principle of net neutrality, our job becomes much harder. Be prepared for a fight from my profession if this right is not protected. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian dedicated to connecting people to ideas, and as a citizen, I would like to state that it is my firm belief that the internet is a common good and net neutrality is the best way to ensure that the internet continues to serve the common good. If businesses start to control our access to information and online services in any way that can only to be to the detriment of a free society. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. I stand with the millions of other Internet users who’ve urged the Commission to keep important net neutrality protections intact. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian I see every day the benefit of a free and open internet on student learning, on economic activity, and on research. Without the freedom to find and access a broad spectrum of information from any source, research in America will decline in quantity and quality. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. Large cable companies claim to support the principles of net neutrality, but without the clear rules in place under Title II, those principles will be impossible to enforce. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital privacy and access rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian and the heart of my work is now online. I work with researchers to find information. If ISPs are given more control over the conveyance of that information it can have significant effects on the type of research that individuals can do. It can affect what is available, how quickly that information is available, and how much it costs to get access to that information. It threatens the ability of researchers to do important, timely research in an environment as neutral as possible. This could then have catastrophic effects for those studying society, culture, medicine, history, politics, engineering -- everything -- in the United States. Repealing net neutrality rules endangers the production of knowledge in this country. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. I stand with the millions of other Internet users who’ve urged the Commission to keep important net neutrality protections intact. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The internet is a world-sized library and just like in a brick and mortar library, I should be able to take out or examine any book I choose, without a librarian restricting my access. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Before the | |
| Federal Communications Commission | |
| Washington, D.C. 20554 | |
| In the Matter of ) | |
| ) | |
| Restoring Internet Freedom ) WC Docket No. 17-108 | |
| COMMENTS OF | |
| DAN KLEINMAN OF SAFELIBRARIES® BRAND LIBRARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | |
| Dan Kleinman, owner of SafeLibraries® brand library educational services, submits these comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to protect and promote the open internet in the above-captioned proceeding: FCC 17-108, released 23 May 2017. For about fifteen years, I advise about the underbelly of the American Library Association [ALA], including its facilitation of child pornography in public libraries, its homophobia, and how it denies yet facilitates sexually hostile work environments exposing librarians to sexual harassment, as can be heard in my interview by the New York City Crime Report with Pat Dixon, published 22 August 2017: https://youtu.be/8EcqM8AEVRQ?t=1h12m11s People make better decisions for themselves and their communities if they are fully informed about the law, not misinformed by ALA. | |
| ALA is deeply involved with working with the FCC regarding what is called net neutrality. That is useful to the extent ALA can bring experience to FCC about public libraries and to the extent ALA can help public libraries regarding issues relating to net neutrality should it do so in an honest fashion. So I am happy ALA is working with FCC on the issue of net neutrality to the extent FCC can use that interaction to the benefit of the public. | |
| But FCC would be wise to ensure the opposite isn’t happening, namely, that ALA isn’t using FCC to advance ALA’s own interests that in many ways are directly opposed to the benefit of the public. | |
| For example, one way ALA works to the detriment of the public is by training librarians they are not judges, so they may not determine what is child pornography, nor may they help the police in investigating such crimes. To that end, librarians are told by ALA to destroy public documents, including recorded crime incidents and browser histories evidencing such crimes. As a result, many child pornography investigations have dead-ended in public libraries. Many, but not all, libraries comply with ALA directives. It is harmful. For details, see “Brave Librarian Speaks Out as ALA Facilitates CHILD Porn” at http://safelibraries.blogspot.com/2017/01/brave-librarian-speaks-out.html | |
| Specifically on the issue of net neutrality, ALA has a long history of acting deceptively, unethically, and possibly illegally to promote its own view of net neutrality and the views of those for whom it is acting. ALA uses a propaganda technique called “astroturfing,” among others. See: “ALA Pushes Net Neutrality on Wikipedia; Political and Pecuniary Interests Promoted Anonymously by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom May Violate Ethical and Tax Codes” at http://safelibraries.blogspot.com/2010/12/ala-pushes-net-neutrality-on-wikipedia.html | |
| And some of the very same people who acted deceptively in the past, the very same individuals, are still involved in the current net neutrality matter. | |
| So this comment is mainly to say be very wary of comments from ALA. Be aware many, many comments submitted may have been astroturfed by ALA to give the false appearance of opposition to FCC rule making on the issue of net neutrality. | |
| Please feel free to contact me for further information. | |
| Thank you. | |
| Respectfully submitted, | |
| Dan Kleinman, Owner | |
| SafeLibraries® brand library educational services | |
| 641 Shunpike Rd #123 | |
| Chatham NJ 07928 | |
| 28 August 2017 | |
| ---------- | |
| Net Neutrality benefits the entire citizenry. The only people who benefit from its dismantling are monopolistic service providers. As I librarian, I firmly believe that internet access is a utility and is becoming a basic necessity in order to function in the world today. Please keep the internet democratic by ensuring identical access to all content, regardless of provider. Please ensure that the people who use the internet can continue to shape the content of the internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian at a public higher education institution, it is my work to make information accessible to all residents of the state of Rhode Island, including digitally accessed information. By creating a barrier of access to information, you will be slowing down the great strides in equal education and access the internet has the possibility to provide. Keep the internet democratic. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is of paramount importance for all individuals; speaking as a librarian, advocating for lifelong learning and providing the tools to obtain information to everyone are part of our core values, and an open Internet is crucial to these efforts. Libraries are places where the public can find both physical resources and a portal to the online world; we should not be at the mercy of corporations charging more, or routing users through fast lane access - the Internet should be a place to explore and learn freely, not a tool to push everyone in the same directions for profit. Speaking as an individual, limited local options in ISPs and charges for faster services to areas of the Internet would have greatly curtailed my ability to obtain my master's degree, if not derailed it entirely - if economic contributions are important to this administration, then they must support Net Neutrality so that citizens can access education and opportunities and produce more for our communities. Please listen to all your citizens; we need Net Neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I have seen firsthand how free and open access to information can positively impact the lives of young people and lifelong learners. The proposal to rescind net neutrality rules is unnecessary to incentivize infrastructure growth--companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast have all indicated to shareholders that they continue to expand. But it will create an uneven playing field with long-term consequences for those who cannot compete, including tomorrow's potential entrepreneurs, and it will limit consumers' ability to access high-quality educational and noncommercial content. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I know it is critical to the wellbeing of our country to make sure that EVERYONE has an equal playing field when it comes to access to ALL types digital information and internet-based services. Net Neutrality, as a policy, needs to remain in place for this to happen. Removing it would be a disservice to all Americans and the American ideals of equality and freedom. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a longtime internet user, and someone who has been a public librarian for nearly a decade, I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. I stand with the millions of other Internet users who’ve urged the Commission to keep important net neutrality protections intact. The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access protections we worked for and so recently won. I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse internet. The internet giants of today (Google, Facebook, Netflix, etc) could never have gotten started in a "pay-to-play" environment where ISPs pushed and promoted their own content to their users at the detriment of startups. Our current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian and system administrator at a public facility-- the public's access to information unfiltered and uncontrolled is vital to a functioning and free society. The importance of intellectual freedom in this instance cannot be overstated-- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should NOT be allowed to filter, throttle, tweak, or censor the content of the Internet. Paid or ISP-approved content should not be given priority over other content. The User, the citizen, makes the choice about what content she/he is seeking. Please retain existing Net Neutrality rules and support intellectual freedom and access to information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a research librarian, I am committed to equity and inclusion in access to and dissemination of information, and net neutrality is a vital component to ensuring a safe and equitable Internet. Throttling, blocking, and paid prioritization can only worsen the existing issues of inequality in our society, further dividing us into "haves" and "have nots" and eroding the foundations of our democracy. | |
| Title II classification must be preserved, as the the Internet has become such a vital resource in all aspects of life that one cannot leave it vulnerable to company misconduct. Similarly to the banking crisis, protections must be in place to ensure that consumers are not harmed -- and the harm that could be done is grievous. | |
| The information we have access to (and how we access it) increasingly shapes our actions, opportunities, and freedoms. We must have strong public protections in place for such a vital network. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please retain Title II classification for Internet Service Providers. As a professional, academic, librarian, I see every day how much citizens need publicly accessible internet service, available regardless of income, education or race. Net Neutrality supports access for all to the information and education needed to be a participant of our democratic country. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not remove Title II regulation of ISPs, as this regulation ensures that they have to operate in a way that respects net neutrality. The creation of internet fast lanes for profit by these ISPs will stifle innovation for those without the means to pay the cost to ensure consumers can reach them. Despite claims by ISPs that the regulations as they are stifle their incentive to innovate their service, the big three providers' quarterly reports allocating plenty of funds to innovation even under net neutrality rules say differently. Despite the claims that this innovation and competition will lower prices to consumers, and allow them to choose a company that fits better with their views on net neutrality if their current one changes their service an a way they find objectionable, in many areas there is only one choice for an ISP, or two which could easily collaborate. | |
| As a librarian, I need to be able to tell my patrons how they can access information, and in most cases the internet is a crucial means to doing so. If some sites and not others are able to pay to have fast lane service, that creates an unfair barrier for seekers of information and knowledge. ISPs shouldn't have the power to lower the voices of people who don't have the money to pay them extra to send the same amount of data that a large media company with deep pockets is paying extra to send (or a subsidiary of the ISP is paying little to send). | |
| Consumers are sold the ISPs as telecommunications services that allow them fast access to all the internet offers, not just a curated information service providing an email address and that company's (Verizon, Comcast, etc) proprietary online services. For them to pretend the latter just to reverse this ruling and neglect their obligations to provide service that isn't discriminatory is incredibly disingenuous and dangerous to the future of this utility used massively by large sections of the public. | |
| If they are not regulated with Title II, there is nothing to stop ISPs from adopting proceedings that will harm the public's use of the internet. Maybe ISPs won't dismantle net neutrality and really do just want to shrug off a few regulatory harnesses that they don't like, but I'd rather the FCC not shirk its obligations so we all get to find out. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not repeal net neutrality. The internet was created to provide equal access to materials available, and to end net neutrality would put companies in power over something that is meant to be free. As a librarian, I know the power of the internet, and the role it plays in people's lives. To end net neutrality would effect millions of people in negative ways. | |
| Thank you for your time. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Jayne Blodgett | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet appears to be the last bastion of the kind of free speech the Founders desired. To fetter that freedom by giving corporations power over access to information will be yet one more nail in the coffin of a country by the people, for the people, and of the people. Freedom of the press is an essential right, and should not be hampered by corporate financial gain . I recall working at Children's Hospital Orange County in the days when the Internet was a rumor. The thought of easy , swift access to the information that would help our patients, or would help us better understand their conditions- was a much talked about and longed-for possibility. In those days, if we had a question, we hand wrote a request to the medical librarian. A week later a stack of xeroxed journal articles would be left on our desks. | |
| The internet has served to speed up my ability to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information to my patients; it has allowed me to remain current in my field. It isn't perfect. However, to have corporate providers in control of the speed with which I am able to access the information I need to be of the best use to my patients, that would truly be a shame. | |
| Most sincerely, | |
| Perri L. Zinberg, Ph.D, | |
| Licensed Psychologist | |
| #NetNeutrality | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing today in support of Net Neutrality and against the Restoring Internet Freedom Proposal. As an IT scientist and published critic, I depend on a free Internet to do the research necessary for my work - both as a scholar and as a librarian. The Restoring Internet Freedom proposal would do the opposite of its stated intent, installing highwaymen on the Information Super Highway who would shake us down to travel where we once moved freely. The Internet should remain a protected utility, like water. | |
| ---------- | |
| The "restoring internet freedom" proposal only restores "freedom" for corporations, not their customers. As a librarian I work with people who experience economic harm because of the digital divide on a daily basis. Under this proposal, the group of people harmed by corporations seeking to enhance their bottom line at the expense of the money, privacy and time of their customers will grow substantially. This deregulatory proposal is not the sort of consumer-protection that the FCC is supposed to provide. Limits on corporations to protect consumers are not government overreach, they're protections. And the FCC's proposal seriously undercuts it's role in regulating corporations that provide broadband, some of whom have been hailed as having some of the worst customer service in the nation. If they don't care presently, what are they going to do when they have unfettered access to use personal information to try to gouge more money out of consumers who realistically don't have the option of turning to another provider? What are they going to do when they have the ability to limit services when customer usage threatens to make them spend more money / resources in providing service? (for a current example, see what Verizon is doing to videos under a supposed "unlimited accesss" plan.) Comcast and its ilk are already nakedly greedy. If you pass this proposal the FCC will be actively harming the average American broadband consumer by allowing them (and their bank accounts) to be targeted like prey. The comedienne Lily Tomlin once parodied AT&T with the line "We're the phone company, we don't care. We don't have to." - you'll be turning that joke into a disenfranchising reality if you pass 17-108. Please don't. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not remove Title II regulation of ISPs, as this regulation ensures that they have to operate in a way that respects net neutrality. The creation of internet fast lanes for profit by these ISPs will stifle innovation for those without the means to pay the cost to ensure consumers can reach them. Despite claims by ISPs that the regulations as they are stifle their incentive to innovate their service, the big three providers' quarterly reports allocating plenty of funds to innovation even under net neutrality rules say differently. Despite the claims that this innovation and competition will lower prices to consumers, and allow them to choose a company that fits better with their views on net neutrality if their current one changes their service an a way they find objectionable, in many areas there is only one choice for an ISP, or two which could easily collaborate. | |
| As a librarian, I need to be able to tell my patrons how they can access information, and in most cases the internet is a crucial means to doing so. If some sites and not others are able to pay to have fast lane service, that creates an unfair barrier for seekers of information and knowledge. ISPs shouldn't have the power to lower the voices of people who don't have the money to pay them extra to send the same amount of data that a large media company with deep pockets is paying extra to send (or a subsidiary of the ISP is paying little to send). | |
| Consumers are sold the ISPs as telecommunications services that allow them fast access to all the internet offers, not just a curated information service providing an email address and that company's (Verizon, Comcast, etc) proprietary online services. For them to pretend the latter just to reverse this ruling and neglect their obligations to provide service that isn't discriminatory is incredibly disingenuous and dangerous to the future of this utility used massively by large sections of the public. | |
| If they are not regulated with Title II, there is nothing to stop ISPs from adopting proceedings that will harm the public's use of the internet. Maybe ISPs won't dismantle net neutrality and really do just want to shrug off a few regulatory harnesses that they don't like, but I'd rather the FCC not shirk its obligations so we all get to find out. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I need the internet to remain a level playing feel. I need information to be easily accessible to all. I see the effects of the digital divide. Without net neutrality for creative work, entrepreneurship, education and more, our country and economy will suffer. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian who works with people day in and day out. SO many people still lack the skills and tech savvy to navigate the internet and make smart decisions. It is crucial that the FCC continue net neutrality to ensure that all websites get a fair chance at sharing information, from the big companies like Amazon to local small newspapers. The citizens of the United States, my library patrons I work with daily, all deserve to have choices and options for information. It would be unfair and unwise to let big corporations drive how the internet is run. Please keep net neutrality in place. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a citizen, parent and librarian, I support Title II and the need to protect the Internet as it is. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I work with families every day who have no other access to the Internet besides what they get at the library. Our customers work on homework, job searches, genealogy and other educational or self-help projects. All of these resources are run by non-profits who are not going to be able to compete with large businesses to have their resources boosted. How will you guarantee that all .gov and .org sites remain accessible at the same level? What about hobbyists who want to have a .com website? | |
| Net neutrality is fair. It is the definition of "internet freedom." Your proposal is a handout to big business that will make it harder for citizens to access information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a citizen, parent and librarian, I support Title II and the need to protect the Internet as it is. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please rethink legislation that allows ISPs to throttle internet speeds based on commercial interests. Once the US government began requiring citizens to apply for benefits online, the internet became a societal necessity like utilities and roads. As a librarian, I witness daily the need for unfettered access to information for all people, in order to keep the people informed, connected, and engaged in public life. Keep the 'net neutral! | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I work with families every day who have no other access to the Internet besides what they get at the library. Our customers work on homework, job searches, genealogy and other educational or self-help projects. All of these resources are run by non-profits who are not going to be able to compete with large businesses to have their resources boosted. How will you guarantee that all .gov and .org sites remain accessible at the same level? What about hobbyists who want to have a .com website? | |
| Net neutrality is fair. It is the definition of "internet freedom." Your proposal is a handout to big business that will make it harder for citizens to access information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I believe very strongly that internet service should be open and equally accessible without price disparities. I support net neutrality and maintaining Title II designation. | |
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| As a librarian who works in a public library, I strongly support keeping the existing Net Neutrality rules in place. Every day, millions of people use library internet computers for research, job searches, and a myriad of other educational, vocational, and recreational searches. It should not matter which ISP a library contracts with or what tier of service the library can afford; all patrons are entitled to access to the complete range of information they need, delivered at a serviceable speed and resolution. Providing internet access is one of - if not the - most important services libraries provide. It must not be compromised and fettered by monetary interests. Free access to information for all Americans is a basic right and should be vigorously protected with strong net neutrality laws. | |
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| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. Please reject arguments that prioritize the business interests of an ISP over my right to communicate and assemble online. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block our ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a small-town librarian, I know first-hand the power of good internet access. It is a necessity in our current age; from applying for jobs to researching how to start a business to finding a phone number, the internet is a fundamental part of society. If it gets sold to the highest bidder, it loses the very thing that makes it so useful - its broadness. There is a saying: The internet is a mile wide and an inch deep. It is a great place to go for quick information at the touch of a few buttons. Take away that breadth, and you take away the thing that makes it great. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
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| It's essential for my research as a student, for my work as a librarian, and for the community I serve. | |
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| As a public librarian, I believe that censorship in all forms is unconstitutional. | |
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| I am a librarian. Free people should always be able to access information freely. Net neutrality helps to ensure this. | |
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| As a librarian, I support equal access information to information. In this digital age net neutrality plays a critical role in people's ability to have access to all information. Please do change the rules for net neutrality. | |
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| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I am a retired librarian, and I am very concerned about the "digital divide". | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
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| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies.As a librarian, writer, and educator, I rely on the open internet. So do millions of other citizens. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| I was a librarian at our public library for 31 years. Many people use the library computers because they don't have access at home. The public library serves the entire community and the Internet should, too. Access to the Internet levels the playing field. Isn't this what America is about? It should be. | |
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| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| I was a librarian at our public library for 31 years. Many people use the library computers because they don't have access at home. The public library serves the entire community and the Internet should, too. Access to the Internet levels the playing field. Isn't this what America is about? It should be. | |
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| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| The internet is a basic necessity for me and others like me in my community. Without the open internet, we lose our ability to tell our own stories, find opportunity, and define our own destinies. | |
| I believe internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content Ñ especially since people of color and other marginalized folks will suffer the most. | |
| I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
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| The open internet is a basic necessity for all Americans. My husband and I have 10 grandchildren and enjoy being able to share with them the instant availability of educational text, photos, and video about any subject of mutual interest. We believe that the fun of learning together promotes habits of life-long learning. | |
| Having been a librarian, I know that people depend on the internet for even more crucial purposes--for instance, to find jobs or look up information about medical conditions. | |
| I strongly believe that internet providers should not have the power to discriminate against certain types of content, so I'm urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to preserve real Net Neutrality under the FCC's existing rules and keep broadband internet access classified under Title II. | |
| Thank you for considering the needs of the American people above the greed of a few corporations. | |
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| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (Net Neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. I don't support Chairman Pai's proposal to repeal Net Neutrality. Thank you. | |
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| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (Net Neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. I don't support Chairman Pai's proposal to repeal Net Neutrality. Thank you. | |
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| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (Net Neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. I don't support Chairman Pai's proposal to repeal Net Neutrality. Thank you. | |
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| As a librarian I see people already unable to afford internet access using our library s computers. Small and medium-sized libraries can t afford for their sake and also for the sake of reference and interlibrary access to have this become yet one more thing throttling library budgets. I can t speak to larger libraries, but know that money taken for an increase in one line item has to come from another part of the budget. Not all America can afford cell phones with unlimited access even now. (I don t, but do use my home computer for research.) Allowing the big internet companies to throttle the internet does not make America great -- it puts us behind. Title II was intended to protect that access. Verizon has already attempted to see if they can circumvent those rules. This shows the telecom giants will not police themselves, merely slow service or charge more for those willing and able to pay. | |
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| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet slow lanes and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
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| As a former librarian I firmly believe in an open, free internet/Net Neutrality. Keep big providers from becoming controlling giants. We now have strong internet laws - - keep our current laws in place! | |
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| I was a school librarian my entire career. About half that time my students had access to the internet. Researching the internet proved vital to student access to new information I could not provide in print resources. 15 students could use the same source on the internet when I might only be able to provide one print copy to them. | |
| Do not hamper student learning across the country and for all ages by turning control of access over to big business and hobbling the net for students everywhere. | |
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| As a former librarian I take the First Amendment seriously. In the online age net neutrality is a force for protecting free speech. A free and open Internet plays a critical role in a free and open democracy. Please do not roll back the rules that keeps free speech alive in this country. We need free speech today more than ever. | |
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| As a librarian, I am an ardent supporter of strong net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISP's. Net neutrality is crucial to supporting research, educational goals, and the open communication of information for everyone. To block and/or degrade traffic based on user, or to discriminate against any user or groups of users is not in the public interest. Please ensure that we continue to keep the Internet open to everyone. Thank you. | |
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| I am now, and have always been, a supporter of the Title II designations of our ISP's. There is absolutely no moral ground for a service provider to stand upon, when the subject of censorship, throttling, prioritizing, or otherwise interfering in the information we choose to access is being discussed. | |
| This would be like a librarian hiding books from someone, or a telephone operator refusing to connect you to the number you are trying to reach. | |
| I am not a general fan of government regulation, but I am even less a fan of allowing those in charge of infrastructure to interfere with our use of the vast base of knowledge that is the internet. | |
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| As a law librarian, I strongly believe in the importance of an neutral internet and urge you to reject this effort to weaken the FCC's current net neutrality rules. | |
| Equal access to information is a fundamental principle of the Internet. Net neutrality ensures that everyone - whether a researcher, attorney, self-represented litigant, small business owner, or student - has a consistent and reliable way of accessing information online. The nature of the web also gives the public the ability to find critical information on current events and politics, enabling more informed participation in the democratic process. Allowing any broadband providers to stifle, throttle, or divert consumers to sites based purely on which company can pay the highest fee only adds to the information bias problems we already see on the web and allows those companies to shape and mold public discourse to their own ends. | |
| Additionally, it increases the chances that particular companies will create monopolies by using their deep pockets to divert users away from smaller competitors to remove competition. That influence should be the result of effective advertising of quality goods and services, NOT cutting off access to competitors. | |
| The FCC conducted a long and thorough rulemaking to come up with the current net neutrality rules, and the rules must be preserved. | |
| Please do not vote to enact this regulation. | |
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| As a librarian, I specifically support strong net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISPs. This is critical to the free and fair access to information upon which our democracy is founded. Without net neutrality, our most precious commodity will be auctioned off to the highest bidders, leaving the American people at the mercy of corporations and their greed. | |
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| As a librarian, I implore you to retain existing net neutrality regulations. | |
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| As a librarian and someone who believes that access to information is critical to our democracy, I implore you to continue to protect net neutrality under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. | |
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| As a librarian, I am very concerned that our citizens' access to quality, unbiased information will be negatively affected by removing net neutrality. Agencies like libraries and other non-profits don't have funds to pay for their sites to appear first in results lists. Allowing information to be brokered like other commodities does a huge disservice to those seeking to be impartially informed. | |
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| As a librarian in a public library where our community relies on the public library for their primary Internet access, I echo the comments that American Library Association President, Julie Todaro made on May 18th: | |
| “Net neutrality is critical to ensuring open and nondiscriminatory access to information for all, and today’s actions by the FCC endanger that. America’s libraries collect, create, curate, and disseminate essential information to the public over the internet, and enable our users to build and distribute their own digital content and applications. Abandoning current protections endangers our mission and ability to serve our communities. The American Library Association has been on the front lines of this battle for more than a decade, and we will continue the fight for an open internet for all. | |
| “Absent enforceable net neutrality rules, commercial internet service providers have financial incentives to prioritize transmission of content from the highest bidder, and libraries and other not-for-profit institutions do not have the deep financial pockets to pay for priority access. We are at risk of maximizing profits for commercial ISPs and large content providers, while degrading internet access and choice for libraries and ultimately all consumers. | |
| “Librarians and library workers know that even subtle differences in internet transmission can make a significant difference in how a user receives, uses and shares digital information. We must ensure the same quality access to online educational and noncommercial content as to entertainment and for-profit offerings. | |
| “The ALA will continue to advocate to preserve the open internet. ALA will be filing comments on the proposed rules with the FCC and will support the ALA community in adding to the public record on this critical issue." | |
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| I’m worried that the protections that are in place will be weakened if we change the way they’re enforced. I would support a new regulation style if it guarantees the same or better protections, but not if we lose any. Corporations should not have more power over the Internet. Everyone should have equal access. | |
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| I implore you not to act on this proposal, and keep the current regulations on net neutrality intact. Instead, please work with ISPs and mobile data companies to greatly increase access and speed to the internet on a nationwide scale to keep us competitive with other major world powers, such as Japan and South Korea. Making the investment in this now will push the US to improve in other areas, such as technical literacy and education in general. | |
| As a librarian, it is of the utmost importance to our profession and the citizenry which utilize our services to keep information found online easily accessible to all. Your current proposal seeks to create a pay to play environment for Internet users; companies who are forced to pay more to keep their content accessible will be forced to pass on these extra costs to users, making access to necessary information prohibitively expensive for the average user. This is the choice you're making with this proposal, and the citizens of the US are becoming increasingly aware of this. | |
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| As an economist's daughter, I understand the arguments behind abolishing Net Neutrality and an open internet. However, as a librarian I believe that one of our rights as United States citizens is equal access to information. My library does not charge extra for when you come to us with difficult reference questions; we don't make you get a "premium" library card to check out the really good books; and you can use our computers as long as we are open for the bargain price of $0. Yes, the internet is messy, and sometimes it's easier to find a funny cat video than engage in educating yourself about the world. But if we truly want to be in the business of making America "great" again, access to that information about our world should be among our top priorities. | |
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| Please preserve Title Two protections and do everything you can to keep net neutrality in place. The internet is an astonishing place with immeasurable room for innovation, communication, and learning - and it is important to protect. I am particularly concerned about throttling and enforcement of the rules. | |
| As a librarian and a citizen, this issue is very important to me. | |
| Thank you for accepting our comments and taking them into account. | |
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| I strongly believe in Net Neutrality. As a librarian - equal access to information is something fundamental to my job. If you eliminate Net Neutrality there is a very good chance that public libraries will no longer be able to afford to provide free Internet and wifi to the public which would be extremely detrimental, especially to low income individuals. PLEASE do not eliminate net neutrality. The Internet has become as essential to people's daily lives as gas and electricity. | |
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| Preserving NET NEUTRALITY under Title II is VITAL to our democracy. As a retired librarian, I know the importance of equal access to the internet for all, not just for those able to pay extra. Let's learn from the past: in my career as a librarian at a major university, I watched hundreds of science and technology publishers and distributors driven out of business as they were bought up, driven out, or consolidated into just FIVE major international conglomerates. Now, mostly non-U.S. conglomerates control what gets published in almost all U.S. and European science, math, and technology journals. That process took about 10 years or so. Price-gouging rose to obscene levels. Journals in chemistry and physics went from $250. a year to over $40,000. a year. Since authors are typically not paid royalties for these articles, the profits are particularly sickening. Abandoning Net Neutrality will have the same effect on the internet. Those with money will control access to "preferred" content and will drive out many players, including small businesses. This time, it won't take 10 years to eliminate competition. Americans need the internet to continue to function with net neutrality. Don't allow the same mistake as with science publishing. Keep net neutrality before a few (eventually) foreign conglomerates end up controlling access and price gouging in every way possible. NET NEUTRALITY IS VITAL to uphold. Thank you. | |
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| Keep Net Neutrality rules! As a public librarian and a voting, tax-paying citizen, I know that a free and open internet is the only way to support an educated and fair society. Do not allow politicians to rule in the interest of private businesses. DO NOT repeal Net Neutrality. | |
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| I am an information manager (read electronic librarian) with a Quaker-based international NGO. I believe it is essential to our democracy, as well as to a world that can more effectively address the serious problems that affect us all, for the Internet to be enforceably net neutral. I believe strongly this means keeping Title 2 in place. The problems facing us are existential. The Internet is the most potent tool we've ever had to elevate ideas and connections to address these problems. And true, enforced net neutrality is the only way to allow us to optimize our collective intelligence, good will and commitment. | |
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| The FCC Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I am a librarian and I understand the importance of the internet in modern life. It is vital to be available to all Americans. It is no longer something that people can skip if they can't afford it. Finding a job depends on access. | |
| I would be happy to speak more with anyone on your staff about the rules and why they’re so important to me. Please notify me of any opportunities to meet with you or your staff. | |
| Diane | |
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| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what individuals can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a librarian, and what is available to whom is a big issue for libraries. The loss of net neutrality would add additional layers of economic influence on the structure of the web, which already has such layers in other areas, where commercial entities can make their profits. Let the Internet itself not be controlled and available only to those who already have power. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
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| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a retired librarian, I have a longstanding interest in free and equal access to information. The possible elimination of Net Neutrality goes totally against everything I believe in and practiced during my long career. | |
| PLEASE PRESERVE NET NEUTRALITY! | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
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| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because internet usage is so ubiquitous it has become a utility. This will stifle an economy built on the ability to instantly access TBs of information on a daily basis. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I see daily proof that a neutral internet is an invaluable public resource. This is how people communicate with each other, apply for jobs, research for school, and run their businesses. To believe a modern society can function without access to the internet is to be dangerously out of touch with the current economy,. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
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| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I see the difference access to the Internet makes for students. Allowing different levels of internet service will only further divide our country by socioeconomic classes and put poor kids even further behind. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As an academic librarian and passionate advocate for equal and open access to all information resources, including the Internet, the proposed plan is incredibly concerning. The Internet is a vital tool, especially necessary today for the widespread capability to share and access diverse information. Should these ISP monopolies be given authority to interfere with access, my students, faculty, and community will greatly suffer. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block our ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I am extremely concerned from both a professional and personal level about the possibility of eliminating net neutrality. I think we need to be very careful about privileging certain content or sites which will likely result in increased costs and reduced competition while providing a way for companies to limit what I, and others, can access. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian and the internet is a big part of how I help my patrons find the information they need to continue their lifelong learning. Without laws to require ISPs to give equal speed to all sites, particularly those created by educators who don't have the money to pay Verizon or Comcast or whoever to make sure their content is accessible, the internet will become a much less useful tool for my patrons. ISPs shouldn't get to decide which sites my patrons can use because they want to make more money. I know you think they won't do this, but they are businesses with shareholders so, of course, they will look for every possible way to make money. To think that they won't is both naive and in disingenuous. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I won't even go into the reasons why the internet matters to me, personally. But as a public librarian it matters to every one of my patrons who rely on Open Internet policies to access and use the information they need. Allowing for ISP monopolies will take this right away and have a terrible effect on these communities. This is not the direction this country needs. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired librarian who conducted research on the Internet every day for several decades, I know that the Internet is the most vital source of information in our country. We must be able to trust that we (not an Internet Service Provider) control what sites and what information we see, and that throttling and other interference to Internet access is not permitted -- i.e., that true net neutrality is maintained. Our democracy depends on free and open access to information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and proponent of social responsibility, I support strong net neutrality. Title II is an essential element of this equation. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. | |
| ---------- | |
| The current labeling of basic ISP systems as Title II common carriers appears to be more correct in the modern era. It is possible in the past that this was less true, but as the technology has advanced around those systems, it is certainly the case now. Much like highways were once private, and water systems were once private, and electric systems were once private, but slowly became public utilities as advances were made and the need for regulation grew, so to have ISPs outgrown the phase where they can be handled in a light-touch fashion. The litany of court cases cited in the opening of the docket indicates exactly why this classification is necessary -- where previously a light touch was acceptable because there were no bad actors, ISPs are increasingly attempting to engage in behaviors contrary to the goals of an open and free internet, and the Courts have stated that in order to regulate them in the fashion now required, they must be defined as Title II entities. Therefore, I hereby state that I favor strong net neutrality provisions, and maintaining the status of ISPs as Title II carriers. To continue, I will engage in at least the introductory analysis, as requested... | |
| Allow me to substitute in one of your opening paragraphs with a more obvious Title II carrier -- Note: Please do not construe this as a reason to drop Title II classification for telephone carriers. | |
| "Whether calling multiple friends via multi-party calling, or ordering an ad to be placed in the newspaper, a telephone user is able to generate and make available information to other parties. Whether requesting a librarian read a newspaper article or list the results from a card catalog search, a telephone user is able to acquire and retrieve information from the library. Whether it’s an address book or a grocery list, a telephone user is able to store and utilize information their assistant has at the office. Whether sending filtered photographs via Facsimile transmission, or translating text into a foreign language, a telephone user is able to transform and process information. In short, telephone access service appears to offer its users the “capability” to perform each and every one of the functions listed in the definition—and accordingly appears to be an information service by definition." | |
| As seen by the above simple substitution using an obvious Title II carrier, and by expressly noting what external service is being accessed, it is clear that your given analysis is flawed. It conflates the access to outside services (e.g. blogs, social media, data storage and retrieval systems) with internet service providers (e.g. modem, cable, DSL, or mobile systems that transmit the individual bits from point A to point B -- pretty much anything at or below Layer 6 of the OSI Model - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model ). Twitter, for example, is a social media service. It counts as a Information Service. How an end user reaches Twitter's servers, and gets that information onto their local system, is the definition of a Title II common carrier. It can be sent by fiber optics. It can be sent by carrier pigeons. It can be sent via satellite. The end-user doesn't need to know exactly what happens in between those two points, but that information needs to arrive properly. If Twitter set up a point-to-point special access system to receive a direct modem connection, an end user could use a classic Title II service to directly send messages from their computer to Twitter, or receive responses from them, much like Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) were used before the general internet and web systems became popularized. | |
| In any given telephone call, a variety of computer systems and information is accessed. Routing and switching is entirely automated now -- we do not have banks of operators connecting wires. Caller ID systems will inform the recipient of the call of the origin's identity. The call may actually go through multiple forwards, and possibly into a voice-over-IP system -- just dialing a number no longer necessarily hits a known and fixed-location telephone, and could even hit multiple end-points around the world simultaneously. With mobile and satellite phone systems hooked into the overall network, the end users on both sides of a call could be anywhere in the world, or even floating above it. The typical end user has no idea how a call is routed, nor do they necessarily know exactly who will pick up (see especially: call-center lines), but one would not say this is a reason to stop using Title II classification for telephone services. Thus, the comparison to IPs not necessarily reaching a known-to-the-end-user specific end-point is irrelevant to Title II classification. | |
| In short, the analysis's conflation of a variety of services as being "broadband" greatly confuses the issue at hand. When considering this order, you must narrow your focus. Which of those services does an ISP *need* to provide? That is, which are *required for basic functioning*? The answer is far less than the analysis seems to state is required. It requires basic header-reads to perform basic IP lookup and packet routing, which is functionally identical to telephone service number-connection and routing. Domain Name Services are frequently provided as a courtesy, but are not strictly necessary -- one can go to an outside service for that, such as directly to Google's DNS by using their IP ( 8.8.8.8 ) in one's own configuration on their personal computer. Caching reduces load on the ISP's lines, saving them money, but is not necessary. It is acceptable for ISPs to provide some of these secondary courtesy services, in the same vein as the phone company providing 411 information services and telephone books, but their existence is not reason to change the classification. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs will be able to limit my access to services and information by pricing certain sites out of reach. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a former librarian, I am aware of how important the Internet is in finding information. As a private person I use the Internet on a daily basis, for information, social contact and entertainment. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital privacy and access rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian. In the course of my job I get to see just how much everyone in our society must rely upon the internet just to get by. Internet access is no frill -- it is a necessity. Just try to get a job, deal with a distant government agency, or obtain health care without it. A necessary service such as this should not be left to the whims of massive corporations who have proven more than willing to dissemble when they can profit by doing so. Net neutrality is a public good, a public trust, and should be protected -- not destroyed. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The title of this is a JOKE. This is not Internet Freedom. I am VEHEMENTLY opposed to these changes to the net neutrality act. I WANT the strong backing of Title II to continue. Keep my internet out of the hands of corporate overloads. I am a professional librarian and I oppose anything that would give corporations the ability to slow down content from any voices. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The Internet is essential to our democracy and to the free expression of ideas. As a librarian, nothing is more important to me than that everyone has equal access to all of the world's information resources. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| It is the main tool I use as a public librarian to help others find information which often leads to possibility, change and solutions. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a retired librarian. I live on a small pension so I am aware of the cost of everything. I also know how important it is to have full access to information. Don't take away Title II protection please. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a citizen supporting a free and open Internet. I DO NOT support 17-108. I urge the FCC to preserve the Open Internet Rules, net neutrality, and the Title II oversight of ISPs. This is important to me because as a former librarian and poor person I understand how easily the restriction of information and its availability negatively affect the less fortunate. It puts the populace under even more at the mercy, regulation and control by industry and corporations and that is wrong and not the task of the American government. Our government should do what it best and right for the people not huge corporations only concerned with profit. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I understand the importance of net neutrality to insure the inclusion of different voices and point of view. Please do not restrict this. Please do not change the legal standing of ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a public high school teacher and librarian, writing to implore you to preserve net neutrality. My students rely on it to have access to digital information, communication, and creation platforms to prepare themselves for solving 21st Century problems we face. If we don't preserve net neutrality, it is very likely that internet resources will become monetized and cable companies will be able to block or reduce access to digital sources, collaborative environments, and creative commons to those who cannot afford their services. Please act according to a long-term vision that has positive consequences for current and future generations. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Elizabeth Wright | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a public librarian and have seen firsthand the digital divide: many cannot afford their own access as is and turn to libraries for Internet access. As a public space and institution we owe our patrons free, unbiased and uncensored access to the Internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am in fervent favor of maintaining strong net neutrality, continuing to regulate ISPs under Title II of the Communications Act. I write this in two roles: a resident of the Northeast Region, and an academic librarian. As a resident of the Northeast, we have suffered under the near-monopoly powers of companies such as Time-Warner/Spectrum and Comcast for decades, as they are the only cable or internet providers in many areas. Their history does not incline me to trust their motives, especially as regards an essential public utility such as broadband internet access. This leads me to my second role: as a librarian and library user, I have seen first hand my entire career how essential internet access and use is in today's society. For my students, my researchers, and my fellow community members, it has been the lifeblood to their progress and participation as citizens of this country. Internet access is now as essential to civic life as clean water, clean air, electricity, and heat. And while the government has not done nearly enough to promote equality of access, narrowing the digital divide, the committment to net neutrality in the past 5 years has been one bright spot in civic policy. The FCC must NOT let this country regress, and make internet speed just one more things that only the rich of this country can get. Thank you for your time, Emma C. Moore, New Jersey | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I know how important net neutrality and privacy are to all people. Freely available information is important to all people for research needs and making informed decisions. In an age of fake news, net neutrality and privacy are more important than ever to all citizens. Please do not repeal net neutrality- for the good of all people! | |
| ---------- | |
| Do not repeal net neutrality! As a librarian dedicated every day to providing ALL people with equal access to information, I believe that the internet must be an equal place for everyone, not just those who can afford it. | |
| Do the right thing. Make the smart decision. Do not repeal net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a teacher and a school librarian my duty to our students is to provide a wide range of materials from various perspectives on any given subject or issue. Without Net Neutrality, I cannot do my job effectively. The Internet MUST remain neutral--ISPs do NOT need the power to determine what we, my students and myself, access or use for our information base on their profit margins. That is neither constitutional or ethical. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net Neutrality is important because those internet companies that have been allowed to grow so big they form regional monopolies care not a wit about their consumers. Internet has, in some countries, been declared a basic human right. Internet is like water or electricity. It is something that is critical to a modern human society and should remain free and unmolested by companies seeking further profit from their consumers past their subscription fees. I should not need to use a VPN with a secure crypto just to feel safe using a service I pay for. Just like I should not have to buy a filter or purification supplies for my water. | |
| More than that, as companies continue to attempt to shape packets and prioritize different kinds of web traffic, they are ignoring their basic issue which is a lack of decent infrastructure. So long as companies refuse to, or willfully ignore modern technologies that allow for higher bandwidth, they will continue to feel the crunch. | |
| When we sign up for internet, we sign up with an implicit understanding that we are signing up for access to a library. This library allows us to browse as we please and does not tell us to wait five minutes when we need to talk to one librarian over another (search engine). No book should have to pay the library to be more prominently displayed or at an easier access point. Internet is the library of the future. Don't mess with it. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net Neutrality is extremely important to preserve. I speak as a public school librarian and a concerned citizen. The argument that investment and profit are hurt is a spurious one. This will be yet another blow to democracy, and access to information. Please do not let us lose our access to information and ability to chose without infringement or impediment. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| My daughter is transgender and the Internet allowed her to discover a community that supports her. I am also a public librarian who fully understands the impact that a loss of digital access has on people and the importance of places like libraries to be able to offer access on a fair playing field. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I am tasked with providing students with a wide array of resources and being able to look at issues from different points of view. I am worried that without a free and open internet, users could be denied information or certain viewpoints. ISPs should not become gatekeepers of information, deciding what information should be available. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality and urge you to uphold Title II and continue to keep net neutrality protections in place. | |
| As a librarian, I understand how imperative it is that unfettered access to information be maintained without allowing ISP companies control over the speed of access to various websites. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a public librarian who teaches computer classes in a rural county in North Carolina. People in my community rarely choose their ISP, if they have broadband Internet at all. Many people rely on their cell phones for most of their Internet access. | |
| Nevertheless, for my community and others, fair and open Internet access is fundamental. My community relies on it to find jobs, manage their finances, connect with loved ones, pursue education, and engage in civic discourse. If Internet access is mediated by corporate interests, I will no longer be able to do my job as a librarian: to connect people to unbiased information and teach them to become empowered, self-directed users of technology. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| To FCC chairman Ajit Pai and all, | |
| As a public librarian and American I urge you to keep the Net Neutrality rules as they are after the 2015 implementation of Title II classification. | |
| I believe strongly in intellectual freedom and open, free access to information and I do not believe that this proposed change does anything for the US - other than positively benefit the small number of internet service providers (like Verizon - the Chairman's former employer) and their ability to monopolize more than they already are. | |
| Do not make this change. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired professional librarian with 30+ years of service to public libraries at the state, county, and city levels, I am very aware of the critical role the Internet has had in delivering the informational and recreational needs of our citizenry. It is imperative that net neutrality be supported and maintained to ensure the value of this critical element of our democracy. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As an educator I depend on the free web to provide students with open resources they can use to further their education. It is imperative this access is not curtailed or hampered by damaging legislation such as what is being considered by the FCC. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian I understand how much access to information can help to change a person's viewpoint. Everyone should have equal access to all websites. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Preserve net neutrality in title 2 | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC proposal to end Net Neutrality will hurt our rural and poor the worst. As a librarian who works in a rural area, providing high speed internet to individuals who require it to file paperwork, apply for employment, and enrich their lives is one of the many ways we are able to improve our community. By providing prioritizing the transmission of information based on how much on pays, those less fortunate will be unable to receive the services they require, and libraries like ours that provide these services, will be unable to fulfill our missions as pillars of public education and enrichment in our communities. I urge you, for the sake of our libraries and the people we serve, to maintain an open internet that provides equal access to all American Citizens. | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear FCC, | |
| I am a teacher-librarian at a small, special needs school. As a non-profit, we cannot afford much in the way for special services. | |
| Throttling the internet during precious class time is not just tantamount to censorship, it actively impedes my student academic growth. Every second waiting for a webpage to load is instruction time lost. When dealing with special needs students, **ANY** distraction from the coursework can snowball into a lost day! | |
| I'm sure Mr. Pai has his reasons for wanting this, but his reasons do not align with the continued development of the internet as an educational resource for K-12, university, and continuing education. "Fast lanes," are not affordable for colleges or government agencies with strict budgets that often contain the most worthwhile sources of information. They place small schools like mine at a disadvantage for connecting us with the students who need us. They also strangle small, but useful, suppliers who can and will customize software and other products to our needs more than a large vendor would have incentive to manage. | |
| What my students would be able to get faster, most likely, would be their entertainment. That's not all that useful. | |
| If the business world truly wants the useful and productive workers of the future, then it has an incentive to step back and let me educate them first. | |
| Removing Net Neutrality is short-term gain for long-term harm. Please see reason and keep this resource truly open. | |
| Michelle Downing | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and a online business owner. I use Etsy to build my client list. Between my passion for education and infirmary dissemination as well as my desire to become financially independent through hard work, it is very important that we protect net neutrality. | |
| Chairman Pai's proposed plan to repeal net neutrality protections would put a huge burden on microbusinesses like mine. | |
| As an Etsy seller, net neutrality is essential to the success of my business and my ability to care for myself and my family. The FCC needs to ensure equal opportunities for microbusinesses to compete with larger and more established brands by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| Etsy has opened the door for me and 1.8 million other sellers to turn our passion into a business by connecting us to a global market of buyers. For 32% of creative entrepreneurs on the platform, our creative business is our sole occupation. A decrease in sales in the internet slow lane or higher cost to participate in Chairman Pai's pay-to-play environment would create significant obstacles for me and other Etsy sellers to care for ourselves and our families. | |
| Moreover, 87% of Etsy sellers in the U.S. are women, and most run their microbusinesses out of their homes. By rolling back the bright line rules that ensure net neutrality, Chairman Pai is not only taking away our livelihood, he is also putting up barriers to entrepreneurship for a whole cohort of Americans. | |
| My business growth depends on equal access to consumers. Any rule that allows broadband providers to negotiate special deals with some companies would undermine my ability to compete online. | |
| We need a free and open internet that works for everyone, not just telecom companies that stand to benefit from the FCC's proposed rules. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding and to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II and microbusinesses like mine. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sarah Murphy | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and a online business owner. I use Etsy to build my client list. Between my passion for education and infirmary dissemination as well as my desire to become financially independent through hard work, it is very important that we protect net neutrality. | |
| Chairman Pai's proposed plan to repeal net neutrality protections would put a huge burden on microbusinesses like mine. | |
| As an Etsy seller, net neutrality is essential to the success of my business and my ability to care for myself and my family. The FCC needs to ensure equal opportunities for microbusinesses to compete with larger and more established brands by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| Etsy has opened the door for me and 1.8 million other sellers to turn our passion into a business by connecting us to a global market of buyers. For 32% of creative entrepreneurs on the platform, our creative business is our sole occupation. A decrease in sales in the internet slow lane or higher cost to participate in Chairman Pai's pay-to-play environment would create significant obstacles for me and other Etsy sellers to care for ourselves and our families. | |
| Moreover, 87% of Etsy sellers in the U.S. are women, and most run their microbusinesses out of their homes. By rolling back the bright line rules that ensure net neutrality, Chairman Pai is not only taking away our livelihood, he is also putting up barriers to entrepreneurship for a whole cohort of Americans. | |
| My business growth depends on equal access to consumers. Any rule that allows broadband providers to negotiate special deals with some companies would undermine my ability to compete online. | |
| We need a free and open internet that works for everyone, not just telecom companies that stand to benefit from the FCC's proposed rules. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding and to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II and microbusinesses like mine. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sarah Murphy | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to express my strong support for net neutrality and that the policies of the FCC remain unchanged by its new director. As an educator and a librarian, I value the internet as a democratic and informational asset that must remain accessible to all and unrestricted by its providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| Preserve net neutrality and Title II! | |
| As an academic librarian this is incredibly important to me and my patrons. To quote the American Library Association, "Our libraries’ longstanding commitment to freedom of expression in the realm of content is well-known; in the context of the net neutrality debate, however, we believe it is equally important to stress that the freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services will be central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. A world in which librarians and other noncommercial enterprises are of necessity limited to the Internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment seems to us to be overlooking a central priority for a democratic society – the necessity of enabling educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them. The ability of the Internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better. With modern technology, individuals and small groups can produce rich audio and video resources that used to be the exclusive domain of large companies. We must work to ensure that these resources are not relegated to second-class delivery on the Internet – or else the intellectual freedoms fostered by the Internet will be constrained." | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing in defense of Net Neutrality and Title II regulations. As a librarian, I know that free and equitable access to all information is vital to our citizens regardless of wealth, race, or anything else. FCC needs to protect all people from loosening these Title II regulations to make sure one carrier is not pushing out another, to make all internet speeds the same, to ensure that everyone has full access. The Title II rules stop ISPs from blocking or slowing down information they don't like. Making it voluntary is not an option. It also stops them from giving special priority to one form of online content over another. | |
| ---------- | |
| The idea of Net Neutrality is at the very heart of how and why the Internet exists. Created by scientists and librarians to spread, not stifle (or "slow down") the speed of certain venues because of big dollars paid to the providers. Please keep Net Neutrality as it has worked well for a long, long time. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a law librarian that cares about access to justice. I am gravely concerned what this will mean, not just for small businesses and the health of our economy, but what this will mean in terms of the public's ability to access information, including laws and other information that can help them make informed decisions. | |
| Ajit Pai, I'd strongly urge you to consider your place in history and what changing net neutrality rules will mean for not just this country, but the world. You have an opportunity to champion equality, and to ensure the next small business that will change the world will have an opportunity to do so. Please take the time to view all of your decisions through a more far-reaching perspective. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a school librarian, I know it is essential that my students--and indeed all Americans--have equal access to information and services via the Internet. And as a private citizen, in this digital age it is disingenuous to treat the Internet as any less essential a communication medium than telephones are. Keep the net neutral, private, and equally accessible to all people! | |
| ---------- | |
| An open letter sent to the FCC: | |
| Dear FCC, | |
| Imagine a library, in which all of the books were placed according to how much each publisher paid the library. | |
| The classics would be left off the shelves. Unknown authors would have no hope of being read. For the most part, only books that directly promoted an agenda, were associated with some larger organization, or sold a product would be represented. | |
| This library is a metaphor for the internet, after net neutrality is stricken down. | |
| I believe that it is our civic duty to preserve the impartiality and literary quality of libraries by making access to libraries' shelf space as transparent and open as possible. This is possible because decisions regarding which books to carry are made by librarians, not publishers. By extension, we must maintain this liberty for the internet as well. | |
| Libraries, however, suffer from a major flaw: finiteness. Libraries must choose to carry books based on literary criteria (not corporate criteria). They must also make certain books more available than others, by arranging them on the shelves in such a manner that people find the most relevant books more quickly. The internet can contain an essentially infinite amount of information, which can be available in an equal amount of time for any content. Therefore, the only reasonable criteria for content to be available (and to what degree of availability) on the internet is, for there to be none. | |
| You would turn the internet into a Barnes and Nobles. Admittedly, the current pending regulatory changes are only a small step in that direction. However, any such step is a step towards corporate control of America's access to information -- and that of the world's. It is a step towards corporatocracy. | |
| You, the FCC, have a duty to the people of the United States to ensure openness of information. Anything less is intellectual oppression. | |
| Thanks for your consideration, | |
| -Ian H | |
| Ian Harris | |
| ---------- | |
| An open letter sent to the FCC: | |
| Dear FCC, | |
| Imagine a library, in which all of the books were placed according to how much each publisher paid the library. | |
| The classics would be left off the shelves. Unknown authors would have no hope of being read. For the most part, only books that directly promoted an agenda, were associated with some larger organization, or sold a product would be represented. | |
| This library is a metaphor for the internet, after net neutrality is stricken down. | |
| I believe that it is our civic duty to preserve the impartiality and literary quality of libraries by making access to libraries' shelf space as transparent and open as possible. This is possible because decisions regarding which books to carry are made by librarians, not publishers. By extension, we must maintain this liberty for the internet as well. | |
| Libraries, however, suffer from a major flaw: finiteness. Libraries must choose to carry books based on literary criteria (not corporate criteria). They must also make certain books more available than others, by arranging them on the shelves in such a manner that people find the most relevant books more quickly. The internet can contain an essentially infinite amount of information, which can be available in an equal amount of time for any content. Therefore, the only reasonable criteria for content to be available (and to what degree of availability) on the internet is, for there to be none. | |
| You would turn the internet into a Barnes and Nobles. Admittedly, the current pending regulatory changes are only a small step in that direction. However, any such step is a step towards corporate control of America's access to information -- and that of the world's. It is a step towards corporatocracy. | |
| You, the FCC, have a duty to the people of the United States to ensure openness of information. Anything less is intellectual oppression. | |
| Thanks for your consideration, | |
| -Ian H | |
| Ian Harris | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and someone who relies on the Internet daily, I strongly support Net Neutrality and Title II. It is incredibly important for all people to have access to the same information, regardless of their situation in life, and having strong Net Neutrality laws will help this to happen. | |
| ---------- | |
| Leave my goddamn Internet alone. I neither need your assistance nor your hindrance. Do your job. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a citizen and a librarian I support strong net neutrality. Please do not roll back existing regulation. | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear FCC, | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like us and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| We are concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse internet. A free and open Internet is extremely important to me and my husband as a librarian and an educator; my main purpose as a librarian is to help patrons locate the best information to meet their needs--and putting ISPs in control undermines this purpose. In fact, democracy in our country is threatened when people are not able to access information freely. | |
| Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people | |
| faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers | |
| with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like us and our students. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Krista & Rick Reynolds | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian, and it is our duty to protect the democratic rights of our citizens. The Net must be Neutral, and the FCC must defend that neutrality. | |
| I support strong Net Neutrality backed by Title ii oversight of ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and Net Neutrality is an important issue. Keep the current rules/laws regulating our Internet. No company should determine what website I or my patrons can see. | |
| ---------- | |
| To the Federal Communications Commission: I'm very concerned about net neutrality. I strongly encourage the Federal Communications Commission to rescind Tom Wheeler's decision to regulate Internet access. Individuals, not so-called experts, deserve to select the services we desire. Tom Wheeler's decision to regulate Internet access is a exploitation of the open Internet. It reversed a light-touch approach that worked remarkably well for a long time with both parties' approval. | |
| ---------- | |
| I back strong net neutrality backed by title II oversight of ISPs. I am a librarian and I know that restricting the Internet is bad for myself and my patrons. It opens us up to control by the government. The Internet should be a place for the free flow of information because, as Thomas Jefferson once said, "Information is the currency of Democracy." | |
| ---------- | |
| FCC commissioners, I am a voter worried about internet regulations. I advocate the Federal Communications Commission to rescind Obama's power grab to regulate the web. Americans, rather than Washington bureaucrats, ought to select whichever products they prefer. Obama's power grab to regulate the web is a perversion of net neutrality. It undid a pro-consumer framework that performed fabulously smoothly for two decades with bipartisan approval. | |
| ---------- | |
| Very strongly in favor of net neutrality. Keep the existing rules! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, working with other citizens on finding and access information, I support net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISPs. Free and unfettered access to information is crucial to our democracy. Removing strong protections in favor of net neutrality is unnecessary, undemocratic, and harmful to economy as it will discourage free enterprise and inquiry. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an information manager (read electronic librarian) with a Quaker-based international NGO. I believe it is essential to our democracy, as well as to a world that can more effectively address the serious problems that affect us all, for the Internet to be enforceably net neutral. I believe strongly this means keeping Title 2 in place. The problems facing us are existential. The Internet is the most potent tool we've ever had to elevate ideas and connections to address these problems. And true, enforced net neutrality is the only way to allow us to optimize our collective intelligence, good will and commitment. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an information manager (read electronic librarian) with a Quaker-based international NGO. I believe it is essential to our democracy, as well as to a world that can more effectively address the serious problems that affect us all, for the Internet to be enforceably net neutral. I believe strongly this means keeping Title 2 in place. The problems facing us are existential. The Internet is the most potent tool we've ever had to elevate ideas and connections to address these problems. And true, enforced net neutrality is the only way to allow us to optimize our collective intelligence, good will and commitment. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please protect title II of net neutrality and protect title II isp's | |
| ---------- | |
| I am strongly FOR saving net neutrality rules backed by Title II. As a librarian, I see how important web access is to our community - and it should be fair access to all regardless of what companies they (or we) use. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am STRONGLY for preserving net neutrality backed by Title II. As a librarian, every day I see how important this is for our community. Furthermore, companies should not have free reign to mess with what people have access to. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISP’s. It is crucial that we have equal, open access to the internet - without throttling or preference given to corporations. This is a censorship/free speech issue - without net neutrality certain voices will be hidden and silenced. Preserve net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian and as a protector and provider of freedoms of access and information, am in strong support of Strong Net Neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs and am opposed to Docket No. 17-108. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I believe that the internet should be available for everyone with no limitations. I support net neutrality title II. The internet is a tool for knowledge, learning, and growth. I want to make sure that everyone, no matter their internet provider can access whatever they on the internet, without the threat of a company slowing down their access. Thank you for your time. Let's keep our internets open to all! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired librarian, I support net neutrality. I support regulations that keep internet providers from favoring one company over another. I am sorry that the government needs to make these regulations due to Verizon's litigation. However, I feel strongly that such regulations are currently needed. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a full time librarian and I know first hand how important access to reliable internet is to the public. Getting rid of the protections that prevent companies from altering access to the internet would be disastrous. In an era of false information, having equitable access to reliable and informative sites is vital. I fear that without net neutrality companies could limit access to less profitable sites despite their informative importance. Please uphold net neutrality under Title 2 and do NOT make it easier for companies to profit from manipulating public access to a vital public utility. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is important to me and the patrons that I serve. It is essential not to eliminate what little safeguards we have in place for it. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support strong Net Neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. From the American Library Association's website: "Our libraries’ longstanding commitment to freedom of expression in the realm of content is well-known; in the context of the net neutrality debate, however, we believe it is equally important to stress that the freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services will be central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. A world in which librarians and other noncommercial enterprises are of necessity limited to the Internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment seems to us to be overlooking a central priority for a democratic society – the necessity of enabling educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them." | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not change the rules regarding net neutrality. I am a librarian and I know how the digital divide already affects millions of Americans. Equal access to the internet, equal speed, costs America nothing. However, giving advantage to companies for profit will destroy the chance at an equal playing field for so many. Please do the right thing. Please. I do wish I could be more eloquent but this is so important that language is not flowing easily. Please do the right thing, do what you would want for the smallest and lowest, not for the biggest and most powerful. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please keep strong net neutrality rules backed by Title II. As a librarian, as a mom, and as a member of the middle class, I am concerned that net neutrality is in jeopardy in the United States. | |
| ---------- | |
| I believe the rules of the 2015 Open Internet Order should remain in place in order to continue the same level of internet access to everyone. Without these rules, I am concerned that large broadband companies will determine people's internet experience by purposely allowing faster or slower access to websites based on their ability to make a profit. Net neutrality is critical to continue unfettered access to information from all kinds of viewpoints, not just those in alignment with an ISP. I am a professional librarian and firmly agree with the recent statement by ALA president July Todaro, which i have copied below. Thank you for considering my comments. | |
| "The American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) firmly believe that preserving an open Internet is essential to all Americans’ freedom of speech, educational achievement, and economic growth," stated Todaro. "Now that the Internet has become one of the primary mechanisms for delivering information, services and applications to the general public, and the primary means of collaboration and doing business, it is especially important that commercial Internet Service Providers not be able to unilaterally control or manipulate the content of these communications. Those with information needs should not have to have their search delayed while companies with deeper pockets pay to have their content delivered first. For example, a researcher in Kansas should be able to access and share digital files from the Smithsonian or other nonprofit digital collection as easily as a commercial content provider with deep pockets. | |
| "The Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 Open Internet Order well defines an appropriate set of rules to ensure the long-standing principle of nondiscrimination in all forms of broadband access to the Internet. That’s why it was supported by literally millions of individual, academic and corporate commenters in unprecedented numbers and subsequently affirmed by a federal court. We are deeply dismayed that Chairman Pai has said he wants to eliminate the internet conduct standard, which will greatly hinder the FCC’s ability to protect consumers. And we are distressed by this announced attempt to vacate the 2015 Open Internet Order. ALA and ACRL will continue to fight aggressively against Internet discrimination and will spare no effort to preserve equitable access to Internet services for all of our millions of library users." | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is one of the most important rights to individuals in this country and around the world. To have this access to information tampered with by business interests or profit seekers is not acceptable. As I have spent my entire career as a medical librarian, I have seen the difference that access to information , such as long term studies, clinical trials and basic nutrition and hygiene have make in lives of individuals. Please do not let profit seeking interests tamper with this basic human right. We have to preserve this for future generations who are watching us and our decisions. Thank you for your consideration and preservative in this fight!!! | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to express my support of STRONG NET NEUTRALITY backed by TITLE II OVERSIGHT of ISPs. As a librarian I understand that equal access to the Internet is fundamental to life, liberty and happiness in the 21st century. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please continue to classify ISPs as Class II and thus maintain net neutrality, which is essential to innovation and equality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a law librarian, I find net neutrality is of particular value to the community I serve and promotes the professional ethics of librarianship itself. Net neutrality ensures that everyone – whether a researcher, attorney, self-represented litigant, small business owner, or student – has a consistent and reliable way of accessing information online. | |
| Without net neutrality, the Internet will no longer be a level playing field. Law libraries, whose crucial mission relies on the ability to provide users with equitable access to up-to-date online legal information, may not be able to pay the fees for preferred access. | |
| • Net neutrality promotes innovation and competition. Tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple would have been unable to get off the ground if they were forced to pay a premium for Internet access. The ability for innovative startups to deliver their content and services on a level playing field with incumbents is crucial to business growth and development. | |
| • Net neutrality protects intellectual freedom, which is critical to democracy. Law librarians strongly believe in the right of the public to be informed. Net neutrality provides all Internet users with access to lawful content on the web, regardless of ISPs’ opinion of the material. The national association for law libraries, the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), supports nondiscriminatory access to information for all library users. | |
| ---------- | |
| I firmly support preserving strong net neutrality backed by Title II. My clear opposition to 17-108 is not only personal but professional. As a public librarian, I use the internet daily to assist library patrons with their research and further learning. For some, the library provides their only internet access. I believe in open internet access for all. 17-108 clearly jeopardizes this. Our internet access shouldn't be subject to the whims of ISPs. Please protect net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an information manager (read electronic librarian) with a Quaker-based international NGO. I believe it is essential to our democracy, as well as to a world that can more effectively address the serious problems that affect us all, for the Internet to be enforceably net neutral. I believe strongly this means keeping Title 2 in place. The problems facing us are existential. The Internet is the most potent tool we've ever had to elevate ideas and connections to address these problems. And true, enforced net neutrality is the only way to allow us to optimize our collective intelligence, good will and commitment. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality. Preserve net neutrality and Title 2. As a librarian this is critical for students to learn how to do research, evaluate sources, be informed consumers and more. As an adult and American it is crucial that we have freedom to information without corporate interference. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and information professional, I urge you to keep strong net neutrality rules backed by Title II. Without them we run the risk of curtailing intellectual freedom, which I believe is a keystone of our country. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I believe in free and open access to information. All information. Not just the kind that a company may pay for me to show or promote. In order to protect that access, we must protect net neutrality. Without it, our country's problems with limited access to information promoted by those who only think of their own interests will continue. And grow much worse. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an information manager (read electronic librarian) with a Quaker-based international NGO. I believe it is essential to our democracy, as well as to a world that can more effectively address the serious problems that affect us all, for the Internet to be enforceably net neutral. I believe strongly this means keeping Title 2 in place. The problems facing us are existential. The Internet is the most potent tool we've ever had to elevate ideas and connections to address these problems. And true, enforced net neutrality is the only way to allow us to optimize our collective intelligence, good will and commitment. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian responsible for technical services in a law school library, and I am writing to ask the FCC to continue to support net neutrality by preserving the role of Title 2 to regulate ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and a frequent Internet user, I support Net Neutrality. Allowing monopolies to form never ends well for any civilization, and it can be used to unfairly control information and devastate privacy. The Net is already structured like most utilities and should be regulated as such. Do not cave in to this foolishness. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Net Neutrality rules were written in the Obama White House by political staff and Tech Industry special interests who overruled the FCC's own experts. The FCC's own chief economist Tim Brennan called the rules "an economics-free zone." They should be repealed. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and access to the internet is a vital component of information literacy and active citizenship. Keep the internet protected by Net Nuetrality under Title II of the FCC. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I see firsthand every day how the Internet is used to inspire creativity and foster scholarship. I wholeheartedly support internet neutrality and am highly concerned that removing Title II classification will have a serious impact on academic and creative work. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian at a public library, I specifically support strong net neutrality backed by title II oversight of ISPs. It is vital to the equality of information access that the regulations remain in place to protect those of us who are poor and disadvantaged. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support strong net neutrality backed by title II oversight of ISPs. As a librarian, I know that net neutrality is of critical importance for Americans who live in less populated areas and for small business owners who are trying to market their business online. With lack of oversight and poor net neutrality, Americans in rural areas can easily have their access to information restricted, since the population in those areas might not be considered deserving of faster internet speeds. Poor net neutrality also negatively affects American entrepreneurship, as large companies and organizations can easily be given preference over small business. American ingenuity depends on net neutrality and oversight of ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As I librarian (and also as a citizen, consumer, investor, and voter), I am concerned about what might impact the public's access to information and the right to know. I stand with the ALA in saying I am alarmed by threats to undermine the strong protections called for by millions of Americans, enabled by the FCC order in 2015 and affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. I support the strongest possible protections for equitable access to online information, applications and services for all. This is a bipartisan issue; these principles are good for America. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a professional librarian and educator, I strongly urge the FCC to continue supporting net neutrality and title two oversight of Internet Service Providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is very important to the communities I serve. Children working on homework assignments, readers downloading a book to read, others streaming music from a service we provide. All of these will become hindered if the net neutrality laws already in place are scrapped. The freedom and flow of information will be diminished. Learning how to conduct that science experiment needed to turn in the following day in class will result in a child's decreased grades if the Internet in his or her home is slowed to nil or prevented from loading because the browser speed is throttled. For a fair and free society and for freedom of speech, it's important that the Internet is also free for all to use without restriction. | |
| ---------- | |
| On both a professional (librarian) and personal level, I believe net neutrality is an imperative provision for an open society not to be unduly influenced by corporate interests at the expense of individual citizen's rights to freely choose information sources. Please do not change the FCC regulations. Keep Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I support Title 2 and net neutrality for all of my 20,000 registered customers. | |
| ---------- | |
| From a librarian and from a private citizen: I specifically support strong net neutrality backed by title 2 oversight of ISPs; rearranging legal standing that Ajit Pai proposes is disadvantageous to the nation and every Internet user. | |
| ---------- | |
| To the FCC: Hi, I'd like to comment on Internet freedom. I would like to recommend the FCC to rescind President Obama's order to take over the Internet. Americans, as opposed to the FCC Enforcement Bureau, ought to purchase the products we desire. President Obama's order to take over the Internet is a distortion of the open Internet. It undid a pro-consumer approach that worked fabulously successfully for two decades with both parties' approval. | |
| ---------- | |
| Save Net Neutrality. The Internet is important to everyone, and access is critical. It is the means by which we learn, and information is dispersed. I am a school librarian and I see the importance of the free flow of information is clear to me everyday. Democracy requires free information, the internet should be governed like a utility, it should continue to be governed by under the Federal Communications Act Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| Save Net Neutrality. The Internet is important to everyone, and access is critical. It is the means by which we learn, and information is dispersed. I am a school librarian and I see the importance of the free flow of information is clear to me everyday. Democracy requires free information, the internet should be governed like a utility, it should continue to be governed by under the Federal Communications Act Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I strongly believe that everyone should have fair access to the Internet and World Wide Web. Access to information should be uniform and no one should have preferential treatment. I find it appalling that so much in the American government seems to be up for sale, to be bought and paid for, to be at the mercy of corporations who just want to get the biggest payout they can possibly get. What will happen for those who cannot afford Internet/Web access at high prices? There is already a big digital divide in America; please do not make that divide grow even larger. | |
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| As a public librarian, who realizes that access to information, for all, is one of the foundations of a democratic society, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Jennifer Woo | |
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| Please keep strong net neutrality rules backed by Title II. As a college art librarian, I am very worried about fairness and neutrality on the internet as a resource for academic discovery. If ISP are allowed to prioritize content the resources my students need to succeed would become inaccessible due to speed or cost. Commercial academic databases are already very expensive, but crucial to our mission. Innovative art and design research is rarely published by companies flush with cash, able to pay for the privilege to be at the top of the internet food chain, but students and faculty need access to these things in order to cultivate new ideas. We run as efficiently as we can with the budgets we have now, but allowing paid prioritization would guarantee my students would have to make do with less. Wealthy students do not deserve better access to information than less well off students. Please see what the ACRL had to say in 2014. http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/net_neutrality | |
| The internet has become a utility whether or not everyone wants to accept it, in order to survive in the modern world everyone must have equal access to broadband, and consistent access to ALL the information it provides. In the academic world we often talk about the concept of standing on the shoulders of giants, but that means creative and intellectual giants. No one ever meant commercial giants. | |
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| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian I help people access information all day, every day. Without treating all information equally, certain viewpoints, companies, and ideals will naturally become privileged. Biased information is not in the interest of an informed citizenry. We must protect net neutrality to protect our freedoms. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
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| I am writing in opposition to the proposal, “Restoring Internet Freedom." As a private citizen, I'm offended by the idea that my ISP could make decisions that affect my ability to access websites, based on who pays (or refuses to pay) their "protection money." | |
| As a youth services librarian, I'm concerned about how this will affect Information Literacy--the ability to discern what is reliable and relevant from what isn't. Already, many people of all ages--but especially youth--have difficulty discerning real news from fake news, journalism from paid promotions, and factual articles from satire. Ending Net Neutrality would further exacerbate this decision by making it appear that the information with the most money behind it is the most reliable, when in reality, the opposite is often true. | |
| I urge the FCC to reject proposal 17-108 and maintain Net Neturality. | |
| Thank you. | |
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| As a public librarian, net neutrality is of utmost importance. The library offers free Wi-Fi to people without internet access, and rich educational and cultural resources such as ebooks, streaming media, interactive homework assistance, online language learning, and digital special collections. These educational sources might be relegated to “slow lanes” or might bring higher costs to the library if our vendors are forced to pay for prioritized delivery. In addition, patrons use the internet at their public library to access online government programs and services. Deprioritized access would hurt them. Our citizens use internet at the library to upload and share their own digital media, develop and support small businesses, use video conferencing, or collaborate online for school or research projects. It is imperative that these services are not relegated to the slow lane. | |
| People who come to the library because they cannot afford broadband access at home should not have their choices in information shaped by who can pay the most. Library sites—key portals for those looking for unbiased knowledge—and library users could be among the first victims of slowdowns. Please protect net neutrality! | |
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| As a librarian, I see first-hand how important equal access to Internet is for members of my community. Patrons use the library's Internet to apply for jobs, take online courses, and conduct research, among many other things. A tiered version of the Internet would only benefit the wealthy, and it would eliminate opportunities for less-wealthy citizens to participate productively in our society. Please retain net neutrality. | |
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| As a librarian net neutrality is important to me and to the patrons our library serves. Please do not take us backwards and allow companies with deep pockets to influence this important decision and create winners and losers. Our library provides academic streaming films so teachers and students can enhance learning. This new president promised he would look out for the forgotten people in this country. What you are proposing is not looking out for us "little guys", but is more concerned with helping line the pockets of the rich and powerful. This proposal is not about innovation, but rather control and power. | |
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| Net neutrality is very important to maintain. I am a librarian working at a public library in Worthington Ohio. Our library system serves thousands of patrons every month that rely on our public computers and wireless access. Last month we provided over 18,000 wireless sessions on our network and over 11,000 people used our public computers. We need to ensure that Internet access at libraries remains available and not relegated to a "slow lane" by ISPs. | |
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| As a librarian, I know how important net neutrality and an open Internet are to equitable access to information. The FCC's landmark rulings in 2015 established important protections for consumers, and all Americans would feel the effects if they were removed. I am strongly opposed to removing any of these protections. Eliminating net neutrality would open the door for Internet Service Providers to relegate content providers unable to pay high premiums to Internet "slow lanes," while companies that can afford to pay more get preferential treatment. This would mean that information from educational institutions, libraries, nonprofits and other valuable organizations could suddenly be treated as less valuable than, for example, a high-definition video from a company that can afford to pay exorbitant fees to stream it at a faster rate. This is clearly counter to the idea of an open Internet. We cannot leave the decisions about regulating access to Internet content in the hands of companies who would profit from giving those who could pay more preferential treatment. The FCC, on the other hand, should be thinking about the best interest of the American public and thus should keep the current net neutrality regulations in place. | |
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| As a citizen and as a librarian, net neutrality is very important to me. I don't have faith that large businesses have my best interests at heart, so I don't believe that giving them control over internet access is a good idea. The free flow of information is one of our most important developments as a species and I don't want to see that put at risk. | |
| Thank you, | |
| Flannery Crump | |
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| The FCC needs to preserve the current net neutrality rules that provide bandwidth and access to the internet on equal terms for all willing to pay. In addition, the FCC must ensure that a tiered version of the internet—one limiting the public to the internet’s “slow lanes” while others that can afford to pay more get faster access—is not created. | |
| As a librarian working in a municipal library, I have many low income individuals and families who come to the library because they cannot afford broadband access at home. These individuals should not have their choices in information shaped by those who can pay the most. Library sites—key portals for those looking for unbiased knowledge—and library users could be among the first victims of slowdowns. As a librarian AND a home internet user, I am aware that even subtle differences in internet transmission speeds can make a great difference in how a user receives, uses, and shares digital information. For my children, this means slower speeds as they use social media to keep in contact with friends and family far away, play online games with their friends, work together online for school projects, and submit homework assignments online to meet instructor deadlines. If access is tiered and a student is forced to use a slower transmission speed, then homework could be received by the instructor after the deadline despite a submission made well before the deadline. The same could be said for a job applicant submitting an application or a contractor responding to an RFP. With a slower speed, the submission could arrive after the deadline unbeknownst to the individual providing the submission in a timely fashion. | |
| Please keep access to the internet equal for all users. Laws that preserve Net Neutrality are the best way to preserve our current access to content and the services that we all enjoy. | |
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| Dear FCC, | |
| As a librarian at an academic institution with several first generation college students, I am concerned that the "Restoring Internet Freedom" measure will only create the freedom for ISPs to profit off bad policy. Let me explain: more and more academic library's are providing accessed to licensed electronic resources (including e-books, e-journals, and streaming audio and video). A system in which ISPs are able to create fast lanes and slow lanes will unduly disadvantage those students who cannot afford higher priced broadband connections in accessing course materials, further exacerbating the status of information haves and have-nots that is already bad enough due to the digital divide in our country.<br /><br /> | |
| While I understand that "the poor" are not a protected group in current education laws (e.g. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), I do feel there would be a discriminatory impact of this measure on equal access to education. Given that an educated citizenry is the foundation of a strong democracy and civic engagement, this measure would have a net effect of reducing the possibility that those less financially fortunate would be able to overcome obstacles on their route to fulfilling the American Dream.<br /><br /> | |
| Thank you for your time,<br /> | |
| Brian Boling<br /> | |
| Media Services Librarian<br /> | |
| Temple University Libraries | |
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| Net neutrality matters to me as a librarian, a community user of libraries, and as a parent of three kids who depend on libraries and their Internet-ready computers to complete and/or print assignments, and read online school-related content. It would not do to limit or curtail this access to education and resources. It is imperative, also as a librarian, to maintain and uphold access to a free internet to the community at large. | |
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| I support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. | |
| I am a public librarian in Washington State. Our community members rely on the library's free wi-fi to access government services and websites, to job hunt, to complete homework assignments, and to find entertainment. Many of our patrons do not have broadband at home, and visit us specifically to access the internet. We offer ebooks, streaming media, interactive homework assistance, online language learning, as well as many other online services. If our services are relegated to "slow lanes," or our vendors increase the prices for prioritized delivery, it is our patrons who will suffer. | |
| The current net neutrality rules promote free speech and intellectual expression, and we need to ensure that a tiered version of the internet is not created in which libraries and other noncommercial enterprises are limited to the internet’s “slow lanes” while the commercial sector can "pay to play." Deprioritized access would hurt our patrons; please, maintain Title II oversight of ISPs and preserve net neutrality. Thank you. | |
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| As a former librarian & archivist I value the current net neutrality rules that promote free speech and intellectual expression. It is essential for our intellectual and economic freedom that a tiered version of the internet is not created in which libraries and other noncommercial enterprises are restricted to the internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment. To quote the American Library Association: "People who come to the library because they cannot afford broadband access at home should not have their choices in information shaped by who can pay the most. Library sites—key portals for those looking for unbiased knowledge—and library users could be among the first victims of slowdowns." Creating tiers will also stifle economic creativity since small/independent content providers may be unable to fairly compete. | |
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| I am in favor of retaining the current net neutrality rules. As a longtime librarian, I know how much the public relies upon libraries of all types for access to the Internet. For those with low incomes, the prospect of having slower access to the Internet than those who have greater ability to pay for a higher level of service is not a pleasant prospect. Please retain the current rules; they are the only way to provide equity of access to ALL Americans! Do not create a "privatized" inequity of service based on ability to pay. | |
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| I am a public librarian. Many of my customers cannot afford Internet access at home & must use the Library for it. They deserve the same fast broadband access as everyone else, not tiered service. Slower service would harm the new business owners using our computers to establish their businesses. We provide free Wi-Fi service to our users. Many use online government programs and services to get jobs and access other basic services; if they could not access these sites due to deprioritization they would be adversely affected. Everyone deserves equal access to the Internet. | |
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| As a librarian, it is very important to my profession that all people have access to all information regardless of who can pay the most and who cannot. Libraries provide free wi-fi and public internet access to residents and want to see net neutrality for the best, most fair access. | |
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| As a librarian in a rural poor area we struggle to provide quality internet for the public. It is important that the internet remains available to the broadest section of the population at the fairest prices and not just something for those who live in high population areas. | |
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| I want to express my displeasure at the idea of an internet slow lane. I am a librarian and many people come to use the internet at the library because they don't have access at home. They often complete job applications and apply for public assistance using the internet. I would imagine that with pay to play access, that nonprofit entities would be the first to experience a slowdown in access. The internet is supposed to provide a level playing field of information access for everyone. Please do not make the internet another place where the have-nots have worse access than the haves. | |
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| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow our ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I know that fair and open access to information can empower, inform, and entertain. I'm concerned that changing existing Title II net neutrality rules could put that fair, open access to information in jeopardy. Indeed, before the current rules, providers have restricted access to specific sites or apps in favor of their own (Google Wallet being just one example). It's unconscionable to ask ISPs to agree to not restrict access, without the legal protections that Title II net neutrality provides. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
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| Dear Chairman Ajit Pai, | |
| Please maintain net neutrality preserving strong regulations under Title II. As a librarian, I see how crucial Internet access is to the every day life of Americans. Many no longer have home phones, and instead conduct their business through the Internet, including job searching and online classes. Please don't create financial barriers to Internet access. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Jennifer Smith | |
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| As a librarian, I see the reason every day why net neutrality is essential to America. Without it the very people the current administration is claiming to want to be help will be left behind as they won't be able to access job assistance, education, or other forms of instance. The companies providing the internet service will be creating a big digital divide than ever. | |
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| As a librarian and firm believer in open access to information (including speed and availability) the current net neutrality rules promote free speech and intellectual expression, and we need to ensure that a tiered version of the internet is not created in which libraries and other noncommercial enterprises are limited to the internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment. | |
| People who come to the library because they cannot afford broadband access at home should not have their choices in information shaped by who can pay the most. Library sites—key portals for those looking for unbiased knowledge—and library users could be among the first victims of slowdowns. | |
| Librarians know that even subtle differences in internet transmission speeds can make a great difference in how a user receives, uses, and shares digital information. | |
| Do not change the current rules on internet speeds and access. Net neutrality is extremely important. Don't mess it up. | |
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| As a librarian, I see every day that people's ability to access any site on the web at equal speed and with equal ease is essential to a functioning democracy. People access the internet on public library workstations, on their own computers, and on mobile devices that likely have data caps. And it's not just about us in the U.S.; the internet and the Web are of course global in scope, and we in the U.S. need to have as much of a right to unbiased access to all content on the open Web as our fellow world citizens do. Being "online" has become a necessity for participation in society, and net neutrality is part of what ensures that all Americans have equal access to online content. The FCC should do everything in its power to uphold this right. | |
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| I'm a public librarian working in a community with large income gaps. Dozens of people every day use our free internet computers and public wi-fi to access government information, job-related resources, homework assignments, and social media to connect with friends and family. These people, and all of us, deserve an internet with net neutrality in place, where preferential treatment is not applied to certain sites or services over others. Public library websites are but one example of non-commercial content that would likely be "de-valued" if pay-for-speed becomes reality. Vendors we work with to provide ebooks, online homework assistance, and other tools would charge libraries more for their products if they are forced to pay for competitive speed. Current net neutrality rules promote intellectual and creative expression and protect free speech. These are core values of our country and need to be placed miles above corporate interests. Information choices should not be shaped by those with the deepest pockets. Please protect net neutrality as under the 2015 rules and ensure that the citizens of the United States come first. | |
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| As a librarian, it is imperative that the Internet remain a neutral zone. Instituting a system that prioritizes only those who can pay would be detrimental not only to individuals but to society itself. At the library, we offer complete and open access to everyone regardless of wealth, race, or orientation. The Internet, while not perfect, is currently the only avenue of information retrieval that is not blocked by another person -- there are fewer barriers between people and the things they want to find out. Our patrons use our (FREE) wi-fi and our computers to access the Internet, sharing digital media, supporting their small business ventures, and collaborate for projects. Slower service just because they cannot afford to pay is not just annoying -- it's plain wrong. Capitalism should have limits, and allowing companies and the wealthy few to pay for the privilege of being able to put their opinions first is beyond that limit. Net neutrality is a modern necessity to our democracy. What would the Revolutionary War have looked like if the Founding Fathers didn't have a free and open press to publish their work? Would we have ever gained the freedoms we take for granted today if they had to pay a pricey fee to get their ideas to the public? The Internet is a place where everyone can have an equal say, and that should come with equal access to all parts of the Internet. | |
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| As a librarian I can tell you that the Internet (the whole Internet) is vital to our patrons. Many of our patrons come here because they cannot afford Internet at home. Many of them are job seekers and will need to be able to access various future employers' websites. We also have impoverished students (many on food stamps) who need our help with research and locating necessary material. | |
| Also, there are a lot of people who cannot afford Internet just for the entertainment, of which there is very little in their lives. | |
| We cannot do our jobs if the whole Internet is not available. Libraries are a vital part of society. | |
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| As a career librarian, I strongly feel that bandwidth is paid for by the consumer, what they us it for is their own business. We pay for a pipe, not a valve. Control of content selection for the sake of commerce is against the concept of intellectual freedom, freedom to read, and freedom to view concepts espoused by librarians around the world. We are the custodians of qualitative information, in charge of its organization, classification, and dissemination. We are one of the first professions, dating back at least to ancient Babylon. Maybe we know what we are talking about? | |
| Sincerely hope this is shot down, again, | |
| Steven A. Gillis, MLIS | |
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| I believe that it is important to enforce net neutrality. The Internet was meant to be much like a public library. Materials and knowledge is freely available without librarians restricting or influencing your choices. If providers are allowed to strangle out sources, our freedom to know will be significantly impacted. | |
| Thank you. | |
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| I work as a librarian, and one of the major services we offer is free Internet access to anyone who visits. This includes 12 desktop computers, as well as Wi-Fi access for anyone who brings their own device. Our Internet services are heavily used. Many of the people who use our computers do so because they do not have Internet access at home due to cost. Without Net Neutrality, it seems likely that the cost of fast Internet access would continue to rise, making use of the Internet even more unobtainable for these people. Our library might not be able to afford to keep up with these rising costs ourselves, especially if IMLS funding for libraries is reduced or eliminated as proposed. | |
| Internet access is no longer a luxury. Often the best way for someone to search for and apply for jobs is by doing so online. For many business owners in our community the library acts as an office space as people use our Wi-Fi to market their businesses and do the work that puts food on the table for their families. Students doing research for school need to have access to the online databases that we offer. Email, Facebook, and other forms of social media have become one of the primary ways that we communicate with our friends and family. We need to be sure that fast Internet remains available and affordable so that everyone can use it to make a better life for themselves. | |
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| I am an academic librarian at the University of California, Irvine who supports the existing Net Neutrality rules, which classify internet service providers under the Title II provision of the Telecommunications Act. Chairman Pai, please refrain from rolling back these regulations. Thank you. | |
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| I am a librarian and net neutrality is essential to support communities in need of wi-fi and online government services. Free and easy access to information and knowledge is a human right! | |
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| I am writing to comment against the Restoring Internet Freedom Act proposal. As a librarian at an undergraduate college, I have seen how important it is for students and citizens to have equitable access to online information. If the internet is divided into different access "classes" as is likely to happen in the wake of this so-called "Internet Freedom Act" large portions of our users will have additional financial burdens added to those they already face from student loans. | |
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| As a librarian and educator training undergraduate student interns to develop new tools in the digital humanities, I am strongly against any changes to the current Net Neutrality policy. Our program seeks to empower talented young students with the skills necessary to conduct large scale research, often over the web, by building their own software applications and scripts. Eliminating Net Neutrality (and therefore allowing ISPs and other providers to charge extra for fast-lane access to certain web resources) will cost our library money that could force us to employ and train fewer students. Please don't force our students to work in the "slow lanes" simply because we can not pay as much as a movie streaming service. | |
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| As a librarian I support intellectual freedom, which is the “right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction". | |
| ---------- | |
| I am against any regulation that will damage Net Neutrality. I am a law librarian who comes from and serves low-income rural communities. Net Neutrality is vital for adequate provision of services in these communities. | |
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| As a librarian, I am strongly opposed to any effort to dismantle net neutrality. All information online should be equally accessible and large companies should not be able to have their traffic prioritized over smaller ones. I believe that the internet should continue to be regulated as a utility, with strong protections against any "fast lanes" or other practices which can only be beneficial to big businesses and harmful to consumers. Please protect net neutrality and keep the internet as it is. | |
| Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| I emphatically support strong net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISP's. | |
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| As a librarian, net neutrality is very important to me professionally. The ability for all people to have access to online resources irrespective of their ability to pay is one of the things that has made the Internet so successful thus far. Allowing broadband providers to hide fees and allowing corporations to pay for preferential web access would be a great disservice to American consumers. | |
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| As a librarian as well as a regular consumer, I am extremely concerned with allowing providers to set varying rates rather than make improvements to the overall networks. Libraries increasingly use streaming video to reach off-campus students, for example, and allowing increased rates or reduced services would impair education across the country. We already have slower service than other advanced countries, and allowing providers to discriminate rather than improve would exacerbate this problem. | |
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| I am writing in support of Net Neutrality. The broadband market is not sufficently competitive to give consumers a meaningful choice between providers. | |
| As a librarian, I believe that access to information is a basic tenant of ensuring we have a fully informed populace and voter base. Anything that creates barriers to accessing information, or slows down some internet traffic in favor of other sites (which may not be as trustworthy or authentic), is not something that should be supported by public policy. | |
| The FCC Regulates communications channels which are, by their very nature, limited in nature. While broadband is not as limited as, say, radio channel frequencies, there are still bottlenecks of service, and dispensing with net neutrality would underline and enhance many of those bottlenecks. | |
| Please discard this proceeding, it will be a bad policy for the American people. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I see people access the internet everyday for a vast array of reasons: completing homework and online course assignments, looking for recipes for Sunday's church potluck, uploading content to their Etsy site to support their limited retirement funds, composing resumes and applying for jobs, (quietly) lip-syncing along to a music video on YouTube, connecting with friends on Facebook, and so much more. Net neutrality is important for libraries to continue to function as a safe place that provides information and entertainment to patrons free of charge. If the FCC continues to deny a neutral internet, many libraries will have to stop helping people learn, which goes against multiple tenets of the library as outlined in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill). We are helpers; don't curb our vocation by denying us the ability to help our community. Please, don't make us stop helping people. | |
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| I'm a librarian at a small college whose students often go on to be entrepreneurs or work at non-profit organizations. I encourage them to get a domain of their own and learn how to set up a website so their online identity isn't owned by Facebook or LinkedIn and so they can be digital citizens with a voice. If Telecomms are given the opportunity to decide which sites people get ready access to, digital citizenship and freedom of information will be threatened. This is both anti-consumer and anti-democracy. Please don't dismantle net neutrality. | |
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| Equal access to information is the foundation of a free society. As a reference librarian, I know that this is crucial. People need information to make important decisions, so internet providers should not restrict access. | |
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| As an educator and a librarian, I implore you to support net neutrality. Free and unfettered access to the Internet provides all students with the vital tools they need to thrive and embark on their future endeavors. All children deserve this value resource. It is our mission today to preserve net neutrality for their tomorrow. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an educator and a librarian, I implore you to support net neutrality. Free and unfettered access to the Internet provides all students with the vital tools they need to thrive and embark on their future endeavors. All children deserve this value resource. It is our mission today to preserve net neutrality for their tomorrow. | |
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| As a professional librarian, I am dedicated to intellectual freedom and recognize that net neutrality is mandatory for preserving the free flow of ideas. Please do NOT sell out one of America's fundamental ideals to big business. Preserve net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and system administrator I depend on an open and neutral internet. Please serve the American public and not the wishes of lobbyists and corporations! | |
| ---------- | |
| I support Net Neutrality and Freedom Of Speech. As a retired librarian, on a fixed income, I see the Internet as an educational tool as well as a marketing/commercial tool. Freedom of Information may be our only hope for the future. | |
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| I work as a data management librarian at a major US research university. It is *critical* that the internet--the primary way knowledge is shared in a global knowledge economy--remains open and neutral. The US provided the world a huge benefit when we invented the internet, and we need to protect that intellectual, social, and cultural capital, and not try to monetize it. | |
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| As a librarian, I value free speech and open access to internet resources. For many who use the internet in our public libraries, the internet is their lifeline for job searches and housing information. Without net neutrality, ISPs could determine what content is valuable and what is not. Our users have no voice, so I'm speaking not only for myself, but for the many patrons at our library and those across the country. Keep net neutrality in place for all our sakes. | |
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| As a librarian, I value free speech and open access to internet resources. For many who use the internet in our public libraries, the internet is their lifeline for job searches and housing information. Without net neutrality, ISPs could determine what content is valuable and what is not. Our users have no voice, so I'm speaking not only for myself, but for the many patrons at our library and those across the country. Keep net neutrality in place for all our sakes. | |
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| As a lawyer, librarian, and educator, I see every day what a fundamental impact the internet has on people's lives - not just for entertainment but for basic education and access to core social services. | |
| A free and open internet, is central to a functional democracy. For people to make informed choices, they need to have access to unbiased and unfettered (unmediated) information. | |
| I strongly recommend enacting, maintaining and preserving strong net neutrality, open access internet rules. | |
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| As a librarian and system administrator I depend on an open and neutral internet. Please serve the American public and not the wishes of lobbyists and corporations! | |
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| As a former public librarian I know how important net neutrality is to the lives of everyday Americans. It is fundamental to free speech and it lets the people and not big business decide what to watch and do. The Gilded Age already proved that what's good for big business is not good for the the American people. Let's not repeat a dark time in American history by handing over power to big business. | |
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| As a librarian, I KNOW that a free, open exchange of ideas is imperative to our democracy. For librarians everywhere and for those on the wrong side of the digital divide -- I ask that you PLEASE support Net neutrality. Don't let big business dictate the choices in information available to the public. | |
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| As a Librarian I know that open access to information is the key to a democracy. The internet must remain a neutral space for all people, not a corporate machine. Net Neutrality is the new frontier for free speech. Innovation and growth as a nation is built upon free speech and open access for businesses, large and small. | |
| I support Net Neutrality as a mother, a librarian, a citizen and a consumer. You should, too. | |
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| As a librarian, I understand how important net neutrality is to our communities in order to bridge the digital divide. Without net neutrality, consumers in areas with limited broadband access could see even further limitations on their access to information. | |
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| As a senior citizen who has worked as a cataloging archivist and public librarian, we have experienced disruption from hackers, phishers and the like. This costs expense and problems for users around the world. Please retain the sanctity of use the internet for communication, research, and information. Keep it separate from intrusion from unsolicited advertisers and those seeking data for their own fiscal advancement. | |
| Thank you for your attention. | |
| Patricia Nikolitch | |
| Educator, Archivist, Librarian and Historic Writer | |
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| I am a librarian. I need net neutrality to provide accurate, unbiased, and wide-ranging information to my patrons. | |
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| I am a librarian. I need net neutrality to provide accurate, unbiased, and wide-ranging information to my patrons. | |
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| As a librarian, it's my duty to provide, promote and protect privacy and access to information. Companies care about profit, not people. Letting the wolves take charge of the hen house is a terrible idea. Please continue to stand with me to protect net neutrality. | |
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| As a librarian, it's my duty to provide, promote and protect privacy and access to information. Companies care about profit, not people. Letting the wolves take charge of the hen house is a terrible idea. Please continue to stand with me to protect net neutrality. | |
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| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I grew up with the internet. I use it every single day, and as the daughter of a librarian, I use it pretty well. The internet has taught me how to knit and crochet, helped me not panic due to minor medical maladies, provided me countless directions and phone numbers to local and far off businesses, and so much more. Every single day. The internet helps me stay in contact with my family and friends who live in other states. We are connected. I am connected to the whole world this way, it is important to me. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
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| As a librarian, it's important to me to be able to choose what I watch and read online. | |
| Net neutrality is important for free speech. Corporations should not and cannot be trusted to allow for personal expression and freedom of ideas on this fundamental, global source of information. | |
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| It is vital to our country to keep the internet open and free. As a retired librarian, I have seen how effective open internet access can aid in reducing illiteracy. Keep it open and free for all users, especially our entrepreneurs and students. | |
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| I'm a professional librarian. I believe information is vital to a democracy. Net neutrality is absolutely necessary to an informed electorate. Or maybe you don't WANT an informed electorate. Do you honestly want huge corporations commandeering the internet for their own profit? That's what you're going to get! And remember, you won't always be in controlâbut you WILL be stuck with the laws that will someday turn on you when someone ELSE is in control and censoring what information is available. | |
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| Net neutrality is essential to free and full access to online content. As a school librarian I understand the importance of uncensored ideas and opinions. As a consumer, I want my choices to be speed restrictions and censorship. | |
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| It is vital to our country to keep the internet open and free. As a retired librarian, I have seen how effective open internet access can aid in reducing illiteracy. Keep it open and free for all users, especially our entrepreneurs and students. | |
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| I'm a professional librarian. I believe information is vital to a democracy. Net neutrality is absolutely necessary to an informed electorate. Or maybe you don't WANT an informed electorate. Do you honestly want huge corporations commandeering the internet for their own profit? That's what you're going to get! And remember, you won't always be in controlâbut you WILL be stuck with the laws that will someday turn on you when someone ELSE is in control and censoring what information is available. | |
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| As a librarian, I value the freedom of information that the United States is known for. Abandoning net neutrality jeopardizes this noble tradition, and stymies the continuing evolution of the amazing resource that the Internet has become. Please keep net neutrality strong and leave the Internet in the hands of the people, where it belongs. | |
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| Please keep the Internet open and free. The big cable companies do not have the best interests of the public at heart. The Internet was developed by scientists for the free communication and collaboration between their labs, and has developed from there. Please let's keep it free and open for everyone, instead of just those people who can afford to pay for it, and afford to pay for the highest bandwidth. Thank you very much. Anne Cerstvik Nolan, librarian and citizen. | |
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| Only strong net neutrality rules, under Title II, will protect the access to information democracy requires. I am a law librarian, and all libraries need inexpensive access to high speed internet to fulfill their obligations to their constituencies, including the public at large. | |
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| Please keep the Internet open and free. The big cable companies do not have the best interests of the public at heart. The Internet was developed by scientists for the free communication and collaboration between their labs, and has developed from there. Please let's keep it free and open for everyone, instead of just those people who can afford to pay for it, and afford to pay for the highest bandwidth. Thank you very much. Anne Cerstvik Nolan, librarian and citizen. | |
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| Aside from the fact that I personally support net neutrality and feel it is vital citizens in getting fair and non-biased access to resources on the internet, I am also a public librarian and have been since the advent of public access to the World Wide Web. We serve SO MANY people every day that have no one and no where but us to access the Internet. And fair, balance, and open access is what we have always been about. We are not a big money maker for ISPs, but we have a very big impact on a disproportionate number of people throughout the U.S. who not only don't have the means to pay for any internet access, much less 'higher tier' access, but who also still need assistance in using the internet at all. I cannot impress upon you enough how important net neutrality is. | |
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| Imagine if you could only visit certain parts of your library, but had to pay extra to read the books in other once-free sections that the librarians had sectioned off as 'premium'? | |
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| As a citizen and as a librarian, I believe there is nothing more important than equal access to information, and because of this I strongly believe in net neutrality, backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. To trust that ISPs will protect the interests of regular Americans at the expense of increasing profits is naive and ignores their legal actions in the recent past that made this regulatory change necessary in the first place, not to mention the entirety of labor and environmental history in this country. Further, arguments that say this regulation hurts small businesses are disingenuous. Small businesses need an open internet to be able to compete effectively with larger corporations that could more easily afford to pay for premium speeds and preferred access for their sites and services. | |
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| Please do not leave it up to the telecommunication companies to decide how to charge for the internet. It was created to benefit all, not just big business. My husband, a retired teacher, and I, a public librarian, have watched this entity grow exponentially over the last 30 years. It was created in the early decades, as are parts of it still today, by committed people for no compensation! All people deserve access to it. Thank you. | |
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| As a librarian, I see the importance of net neutrality to patrons on a daily basis. Please keep the web open and equal to provide library patrons - those entrepreneurs, students, and working poor - the online opportunities that are now available to them. | |
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| As an academic librarian living in eastern North Carolina, I have dealt with thousands of students over the years who needed Internet access to use online databases for basic research, for learning, to complete assignments, and to communicate with their instructors. It is critical for all of us to leave net neutrality alone so that these students can build their skills, complete their degrees, and find productive work. Also, residents in rural areas light this part of NC have limited options for finding the resources they need. We often have no other option than to rely on the Internet. | |
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| As a librarian in a rural state, I see the impact that the Internet has on the residents. There is no doubt that the Internet is necessary for everyone to have free and open access to for their personal growth. If net neutrality is revoked, it would be possible for ISP's in Montana to prevent access to or to severely slow down access to sites that people need to find jobs, get training, and yes, even personal entertainment. | |
| In populous, urban areas of the United States, there is competition between ISP's, so if one is blocking a necessary site, a user could potentially move to another service. In most of the State of Montana, residents do not have that luxury. They are lucky enough to even have access to the Internet, let alone a choice of providers. | |
| Please reconsider the plan to revoke Net Neutrality, and preserve every American's right to use the Internet without being blocked from parts of it that an ISP determines they should not have access to. | |
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| I have submitted comments on this issue before, but time has passed and I would like to make sure my statements are still fresh. | |
| As a librarian, I am concerned by plans to attack net neutrality. Librarians hold intellectual freedom as a core value and believe all Americans have the right to access information. The weakening of net neutrality could lead to the creation of Internet fast and slow lanes, de facto censoring some sites that cannot pay and redirecting users to sites that can. This impedes their ability to access *all* information and could lead to the suppression of emerging or less funded ideas. | |
| For better or for worse, the Internet has become a medium that many Americans use to learn, communicate, and conduct their livelihoods. A large portion of the human race now relies on the Internet (Weiss, 2011, p. 385). In fact, in 2009, France ruled that Internet access was a basic human right (Weiss, 2011, p. 384). American promotes the idea of the American dream, that anyone from any background or social standing can succeed with hard work and determination. In order for this to be a reality, Americans deserve a level playing field. All Internet users should be treated equally as information consumers and producers, whether they have money or no. Otherwise, the Internet becomes one more system rigged from the start. | |
| In the past, when net neutrality has been threatened, the American people have overwhelmingly spoken in favor of it. In 2014, processing of 800,000 public comments on the FCC’s net neutrality plan revealed that fewer than 1% were opposed to net neutrality (Lannon, 2014). Since I last submitted my comments on this topic, another survey revealed that 61% of Americans support net neutrality rules (Neidig, 2017). That is a strong majority, especially as a further 21% had no opinion and only 18% opposed. | |
| And why shouldn’t they support it? Lowering regulations benefits few people. Consumers will suffer with impaired access to sites that cannot pay. Small businesses will suffer as larger, more powerful competitors are able to pay more and choke out traffic. Intellectual freedom as a whole will suffer as it becomes harder to freely share and exchange information on the last great marketplace of ideas. Only large, already rich corporations will benefit from relaxed regulations. | |
| In 2005, the FCC released a policy statement adopting the principles that “consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice” and stating that “the Commission has a duty to preserve and promote the vibrant and open character of the Internet”. They then wrote that they would incorporate these principles into ongoing policymaking (FCC, 2005, p. 3). What happened to this Commission? Where have these ideals gone? | |
| The government exists to represent and serve the people, not whatever business can slip them the most campaign contributions. The people are speaking now. Will you listen to them? | |
| References | |
| Federal Communications Commission. (2005). Policy Statement. Retrieved from https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-151A1.pdf | |
| Lannon, B. (2014). What can we learn from 800,000 public comments on the FCC’s net neutrality plan? Sunlight Foundation. Retrieved from https://sunlightfoundation.com/2014/09/02/what-can-we-learn-from-800000-public-comments-on-the-fccs-net-neutrality-plan/ | |
| Neidig, H. (2017). Cable industry poll: Majority support net neutrality rules. The Hill. Retreived from http://thehill.com/policy/technology/332948-cable-industry-poll-majority-support-net-neutrality-rules | |
| Weiss, P. F. (2011). Protecting a right to access internet content: The feasibility of judicial enforcement in a non-neutral network. Brooklyn Law Review, 77(1). | |
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| I work as a librarian and assist people everyday to access employment applications, government benefits and required readings and information for all grade levels and computer skill levels. The people I help depend on free and unfettered access to all types of information and similar to the way libraries must provide access to all types of information through books and other resources to the public it's vital that the internet remains free to the public so that they can access everything equally without any preference to one site/provider and ultimately without preference to one point of view over another. This is a vital part of our democracy and I beg you not to sacrifice anyone's freedom to find speech by allowing internet providers to give preference, even if only by allowing quicker or preferred access. | |
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| We believe the internet has become fundamental to modern life, and that the proposed rules of FCC will severely disadvantage the common person. The people it will hurt the most are the people who need access the most. This includes schools, libraries and job search centers. | |
| In our area, there are only two ISP available to us. In some areas, there are only one. The free market cannot regulate these entities through competition. The companies are too powerful, and they already charge excessive prices despite poor service. If they are given the ability to throttle libraries, it will create an untenable divide between those who have access and those who do not. | |
| Every day at the library, we have people using the internet to search for jobs, create resumes, perform legal research, telecommute to work and complete degrees. We are not just a public service, but an economic engine that enabled many young people to teach themselves vital skills. | |
| For example, one person interested in starting a food blog has used our services to learn the ropes. She sat with a librarian to learn wordpress, she used LYNDA.com (supplied by the library) to learn more skills. Now she is on the verge of expanding her business. The proposed rules would restrict us from offering free wifi and uncapped broadband to the public. | |
| Please do not give any more power to telecommunication companies. They want you to kill the economic engine that has kept this country going in order to protect their dated business model. That is not free enterprise. It is corporate welfare. | |
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| As a librarian and a citizen, I specifically support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. It is important that all people, regardless of how much money they have or any other factor, have access to information and internet connectivity! | |
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| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a professional in the software industry, access to the internet is critical to my job. As a librarian who believes in equal access to information, I believe that equal access to the internet benefits all just as much to equal access to libraries, newspapers, and other sources of information. Lack of regulations to keep the internet free and equal is tantamount to oppression of those without adequate means. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
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| I'm a librarian, and as a professional AND a citizen, recognize that net neutrality is ESSENTIAL to our not just the freedom of information, but also our freedom as citizens. And isn't that what America is all about? Limitations on internet freedom, as is currently being proposed, will have a huge negative impact on the economy, innovation, and the intellectual growth and freedom of all Americans. Please commit to total net neutrality. | |
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| As a librarian and dean of a community college library and information commons, I want to express my grave concerns about the proposed end to net neutrality. Our students are generally from poor and working class families, access to the internet at the college allows them to use all the resources we purchase for them - databases, learning management systems, online tutoring, etc. Creating an internet class system will seriously penalize our students. Please save Internet fairness. | |
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| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| Long ago in the comic strip Wizard of Id, the king announced that he would follow the Golden Rule, which he defined as "Those that have the gold makes the rules." This has to stop! | |
| I am a recently retired librarian and library educator. During my years in the workforce I have seen the growing importance of a net neutrality as essential to a democracy. The "big guys" are doing just fine and they will do ANYthing to maintain and expand their power. Net neutrality is a basic need of those who believe that ALL of us need to play by rules that ensure that the principles embodied in the Bill of Rights--ESPECIALLY the First Amendment --are maintained and strengthened. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
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| As an academic librarian, I see that net neutrality is a critical issue for everyone. I work at a Research-1 institution, where our students and faculty members collaborate with colleagues across the country and the globe, and rely on internet access to share ideas, hold meetings, and create new knowledge using collaborative platforms. Deprioritized access for our users would slow the production of knowledge, and perhaps even deter people from engaging in these important collaborations. In my own work, I recently co-authored a book completely using online collaboration tools--with slower access, I would have been frustrated by the process and more likely to abandon the project. The way that people work today depends on equal access to fast internet--it shouldn't rely on what vendors or corporations can pay more to speed up their connections. | |
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| Please keep net neutrality. It is an equity and an intellectual freedom issue. As a professor and librarian, I think that net neutrality is a central factor for education and participatory democracy. | |
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| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy rules we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a retired librarian, I know that fast, open access to information OF ALL KINDS is critical to a thinking public in a participatiory democracy. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, it matters greatly. We help so many people from so many walks of life, using the Internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
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| Net neutrality is so important for fair and equal access to information. As a librarian, this is important to me. I do not support overturning our current rules regarding net neutrality. | |
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| Giving corporations the upper-hand over access to the internet is a slap in the face to all Americans, but especially the people that need it the most. I'm a librarian and I see them come in to fill out job applications, pay bills, sign up for classes and student loans, do homework assignments. Slow down the access to these crucial resources and you crush millions who are living on the edge, just getting by but hoping for more. Keep the internet a level playing field for all. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I use the internet for my personal and work life. It is integral to today's society and as a librarian, knowing that ISPs can control what I see based on how much they get paid, it makes me afraid. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy rules we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a retired librarian, I know that fast, open access to information OF ALL KINDS is critical to a thinking public in a participatiory democracy. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
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| Tearing down net neutrality would be a betrayal of the vast majority of American citizens. The net should be a public resource open to all citizens equally. Allowing rich corporations to distort net neutrality in favor of the already powerful is a step toward corporate fascism. The FCC should assign librarians to organize and distribute the information on the net in a way that best serves all the citizens. Keep private corporations and companies out of this process, because by definition they do not hold the interests of public citizens ahead of their own private interests. You should know this! | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| Public, academic and special libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is so important for fair and equal access to information. As a librarian, this is important to me. I do not support overturning our current rules regarding net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is so important for fair and equal access to information. As a librarian, this is important to me. I do not support overturning our current rules regarding net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I prefer a free flow of information. I do not want ISPs to be gatekeepers to what I see, read, and access via the internet. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I am deeply aware that libraries as an industry rely heavily on our ability to provide information to our library patrons without any preference to any individual company or publisher. As an individual consumer, I am deeply concerned with internet service providers (ISPs) extorting money out of streaming internet services to provide preference over some other company. As an innovator, I am deeply concerned with the ability for new start-up streaming internet services to compete against established streaming companies who are able to afford paying preferential extortion fees to ISPs. Regarding unpreferential treatment of internet services (also known as net neutrality), I beg you to retain strong net neutrality standards under Title II. Without treating the internet as the fair and equal common carrier that it is, new and innovative companies will be unable to compete in an extortion based, internet ecosystem, where ISPs favor services able to pay the highest fees, thereby killing innovation. And let's be honest, if ISPs are able to extort money from streaming services, consumers will end up paying unnecessarily higher monthly rates for those services. Consumers always pay in the end. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a librarian, and I have experienced first hand what happens when vendors get monopolies on what kinds of content can be accessed at what price. I also see how hard it is for rural and urban communities alike to access high-speed broadband, and how so much of our work, commerce, and education now takes place online. If laws to end net neutrality are put into place, we will have an even greater amount of inequality and a huge digital divide, the effects of which will be felt for generations to come. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I strongly support net neutrality to protect equitable access to information. Keep ISPs under Title II to prevent abuse of the free and open internet! | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I have been a librarian for 15 years in a variety of settings, and I've seen first-hand the positive power the internet can have on the lives of all Americans. Creating a tiered system of any kind will reduce access and usage by those who could benefit the most from information- students, patients, and those with limited incomes. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is so important for fair and equal access to information. As a librarian, this is important to me. I do not support overturning our current rules regarding net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is important to ensure our right to free speech. I am a librarian who must protect the privacy of my patrons. Patrons need to do electronic searches. Without net neutrality, I cannot guarantee that their right to privacy & free speech is being protected. Keep net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Keep ISPs classified under TItle II. As a public librarian, politically active voter, and a citizen I can say without reservation that the principle of net neutrality is incredibly important to me, my family, my patrons, and my community. There is very little choice in ISPs throughout much of the US market, despite Mr. Pai's disingenuous references to the wireless ISP market then discussing said choice. Many Americans have only one choice of broadband provider and it is more often than not a cable company that has a profit motive to throttle competing services to boost in house offerings. Without Title II protections, many Americans are vulnerable to the whims of these near monopolies and have essentially no market power with which to negotiate. Internet access is not a luxury, it is a necessity for hundreds of millions of us. Giving ISPs the power of gatekeepers will strangle competition and limit the information the public receives to that approved by said ISPs. The Internet belongs to all of us, not to the monopolies you have allowed to consume the ISP market. Keep ISPs under Title II. We're watching and we will not remain silent. | |
| ---------- | |
| Don't override Title II. Net neutrality is too important to lose. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian and a person who worked in telecom for many years,I find it appalling that the FCC is even considering weakening net neutrality. This subverts the intention of the internet as a free and open service. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As both a librarian - a defender of equal access to information - and a consumer, I am doubly troubled by the prospect of allowing ISPs to control what I access online and how. Pay-to-play will affect consumers adversely and promote inequality in access to information. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| A slow and blocked internet will widen the gap between the haves and the haven nots. This action widens the digital divide to an extreme degree. Widening the divide of the information rich and the information poor is a sad attack on democracy. Travelers on a "fast lane" will be blind to the urgent needs of the poor. I have witnessed this: I am a librarian. Let's not dismantle democracy. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I support STRONG net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. We cannot allow "fast lanes" and "slow lanes" on the internet. Due to media convergence, internet providers are increasingly content producers as well. To maintain freedom of speech and equal access to all information available online, we need to ensure that ISPs--large communications corporations-- cannot prioritize their content over their competitors' content--which includes smaller start-ups and individuals whose web content would be overshadowed. Keep the internet NEUTRAL & OPEN. As a librarian, I know how crucial equal access to information is to a free and educated society. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Public libraries provide access to all. Net neutrality helps ensure a level playing field. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a public librarian. Every day I encounter citizens who can't afford home internet. They are school kids, parents, and senior citizens. Many of them are searching for jobs or applying for government assistance. Without free internet, provided to libraries at an affordable rate, whole segments of our society will be excluded from digital services. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please keep net neutrality! I am a public librarian and we do thousands of hours of free internet service every year for low-income households, the elderly on fixed income, second homeowners, and families who need more than one computer at a time. We help people looking for jobs who still don't know how to use a mouse or keyboard or navigate the web - don't make it harder for them to get a leg up! Don't make it harder for people to have parity of service. Net neutrality is so important to give fair access to all internet users! Keep net neutrality and Title II !! Don't give in to the urge to fracture the internet to the advantage of the highest bidder! We use a small regional company to provide our internet - keep small business strong! Do the right thing - keep net neutrality and title II !!! Thanks! Ann | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian and our library provides internet access for information people in our community need and can not afford or access on their own. Should companies be able to control the speed of access to this information would greatly disenfranchise our patrons who need this information the most. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality under Title 2. I am a librarian and changing the current status would harm people's access to information which is unacceptable. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| Free access to information is a fundamental right for all American. As an educator and librarian, I see first hand how that access to the Internet empowers learners and gives my students the ability to learn about the wider world. Ending net neutrality threatens my students access to the diversity of information and perspectives that ensure a free and equal democracy. There has never been a more critical time to stand up for the rights of citizens and against the power of corporations to decide who has access to sites and services on the Internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Heather Goebel | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is part of what makes our democracy strong. Weakening net neutrality weakens democracy. As a librarian, I believe strongly in the freedom of information and equal access to information that net neutrality supports. A strong regulatory framework benefits everyone by keeping large corporations in check. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a school librarian, I am profoundly concerned about ensuring equitable access to digital resources. I am strongly in favor of net neutrality, with Title II oversight, to help protect democracy online. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian and our library provides internet access for information people in our community need and can not afford or access on their own. Should companies be able to control the speed of access to this information would greatly disenfranchise our patrons who need this information the most. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like my patrons and I. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support the upholding of current net neutrality laws. It is crucial that ISPs be maintained as utilities under Title II. It is important to me as a school librarian that no providers be given preferential access. | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm an academic librarian and I support Net Neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs to ensure fair and equal access to content for students, researchers, and the general public. | |
| ---------- | |
| It is vital that net neutrality be preserved. I am a librarian, and fully support equal access to information and freedom of expression. Information access should not be manipulated by businesses who stand to profit from the removal of net neutrality laws. Government must protect the right to free speech and the free market. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please keep net neutrality! As a public librarian in a rural community, I can tell you first hand that many people need the internet to apply for jobs or pay their bills. Without net neutrality, many of our patrons will be unable to provide for their families or access needed city information. You cannot allow this to happen | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I feel strongly that internet neutrality is important. The free flow of information is vital for democracy. I urge you to strengthen net neutrality and ensure rigorous oversight of internet service providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The internet matters to me because I am a librarian and my job is helping people access information. Without net neutrality, innovation and research will suffer and America will fall even further behind other countries who will quickly supercede our place as one of the world leaders in discovery, invention, development. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a university librarian, and for myself, my faculty and my students, net neutrality is an issue not just of economics, but of culture and education. I fear a future where education is more expensive than entertainment, and in fact I already see it in my wireless phone service. T-Mobile exempts certain video and audio services from its data caps. My library's services do not qualify for these exemptions, and so it is literally more expensive for me to download a single scientific article than it is to watch a thousand hours of Netflix. Removing Title II net neutrality would encourage all providers to make the same choices. The Internet should be available on the same terms to all, not just those who can afford to pay top dollar. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support a fair and neutral internet. As a librarian, I want to keep access to information fair and equal to all. This "simple" thing is key to giving people the access they need to improve their lives and inform themselves. It's the only fair thing to do in the digital age. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I am a librarian at a public library. As a librarian, I'm all about information. I help patrons get on the internet. I help them find the information they are looking for. I help them disect sources, so they know what biases may exist or what may be "fake news." I help them find and discover books, movies, and music from well known names and smaller, independent labels. | |
| I work in an area where our geography can limit what type of internet service, and even cell phone coverage, you can get at your home. Some homes can't get cable and can only get DSL or dial-up. Even then, you may not have great speeds due to lack of competition or companies feeling like the current speeds met up with the demand. More and more we are streaming content; more and more people are working from home. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Megan Coleman | |
| ---------- | |
| Please keep neutrality and title 2. As a librarian I find it critical for access of information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian I know how VITAL Net Neutrality is. | |
| We must protect and treasure our freedom to choose. | |
| Please do not allow something so personal as internet use become a corporate pawn. | |
| Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality under title 2. In the modern era, the Internet has become a right and, in many ways, a necessity. I will not live in a nation where companies get to decide that their content merits more bandwidth or speed. I also do not believe Ajit Pai understands the importance of net neutrality, especially given his former employment with Verizon. I am a librarian and we support full and unencumbered sharing of information as the right and privilege of all Americans and, indeed, all people. Keep the Internet neutral and accessible! | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality, and oppose the repeal of of the 2015 network neutrality rules. I am a Time Warner/Charter/Spectrum customer. | |
| I purchase internet access for high-speed access to all of the internet. I do not purchase internet access for any other services that may be offered by my internet provider, like an email account - I can get that for free elsewhere, from my choice of services. For the high cost I pay for high-speed internet, I do expect to have access to any website or web content I want, at the same speed as if I went to a competing site. I am very concerned about the consequences of my internet service provider (Time Warner/Charter/Spectrum) prioritizing their own content or content from their affiliates or those paying to have their own content stream faster than their competition, to have my web usage throttled because of the websites I'm going to or because of my usage, or to be denied access to websites or content because of my ISP's interests. I am a librarian and educator, and find this very problematic for a number of reasons, including the potential for censorship (either by blocking or throttling) and its impact on public discourse and information exchange. | |
| There are increasingly few options for high-speed internet access, and in some cases only one provider serves an area. As a resident of New York's Capital District, I do not have any other option for high-speed internet. I would have no recourse or other service option, and I believe it is well-established that internet access is no longer a luxury. | |
| The internet is a communications network, and the FCC does have a responsibility to ensure the rights of all internet users, many of whom are customers who pay high prices for the opportunity to access it, to do so without throttling, paid prioritization, or the blocking of content. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. I stand for equal access to information and see how important it is every day at work. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| Thank you! | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have less choice about what they see, and newer companies will have a harder time breaking into their fields. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a well-informed citizen, as a librarian, as an educator, and as a consumer, having a free and equal access internet is critical. Let's face it, search results already skew what users see and choose to read. Getting rid of net neutrality? It takes away the fundamental belief system behind the web. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| Please don't do this. I need an open internet to perform my job as a librarian and to be able to help my community members. Furthermore, I need an open internet so that I (and everyone) will have continued and equitable access to a diverse array of educational and entertainment options. Additionally, we should keep the internet free so that people with no other avenue for their voice can use such a powerful tool. | |
| Please don't change the existing net neutrality rules. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net Neutrality is the cornerstone of innovation, free speech and democracy on the Internet. | |
| More than 2 million Americans have expressed support for Net Neutrality at Congress and the FCC. They want control over the Internet to remain in the hands of the people who use it every day. | |
| Please stand with the public by protecting Net Neutrality once and for all. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a librarian and we're in the information business. We disseminate based on need and interest, and judge not as to the quality or interests of our customers (our common interest taxpayers). Also as a consumer, I don't like the idea of someone putting a value on what I'm using, and then adjusting the bandwidth accordingly. All information deserves to be treated equally! | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to urge you to protect the FCC Open Internet Rules (aka Net Neutrality Rules), as equal access to information is a fundamental pillar of any healthy democracy, and the power to block content cuts directly against that foundation. As a former librarian, and future attorney, I can think of few issues that will as be vitally important to the public in the current, near, and distant future, as fair access to information. Allowing ISP's to control content is effectively the power to censor information / content. This in turn makes a public less able to effectively participate in their own democracy. Please support Title II Rules. Please protect fair access to information. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian who believes in promoting entrepreneurship, I know that not protecting Title II net neutrality rules will greatly reduce the ability of start-ups to compete against the big telecoms. This will reduce the ability of the US to maintain its entrepreneurial edge in IT, and will put libraries (a place where lifelong learning creates entrerpeneurs) in a position to have less access to the information our patrons need. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| You have to keep Net Neutrality a thing. Getting rid of it would be like going to the library and having the librarian not let you check out the stuff you want simply because they themselves don't like it. It's a terrible idea and keeping the Net Neutrality does absolutely NO HARM to anyone in any regards. Why change something good to something bad intentionally? | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet should remain free and open. If ISP's are allowed to prioritize content, it will severely reduce the quality of content available to internet users. It will hurt small internet based businesses such as my own and leave the little guy out in the cold while large companies profit even more and reduce competition. | |
| A world without free and open internet, is not a world worth living in. It would be like going to the library and the librarian telling you what you can and can't read. | |
| ---------- | |
| As the use of the internet increases worldwide, we need net neutrality to ensure that all people have equal access to all of the opportunities facilitated by internet access. ISPs should NOT be able to control which websites are available or throttle bandwidth for their users. Because most people only have one or two ISPs to choose from in their area, one CANNOT simply choose an ISP that matches their needs. | |
| When I was a librarian at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, I taught a class on how to best use the Google search engine. Many of the people who attended this were visitors from China. They were astonished that we had free access to the entire internet and explained how lucky we were that we could research anything we wanted at any time. This is not the case in China, where their internet usage is severely restricted. | |
| Net neutrality is a central piece of what it means to be a free American. I will actively vote against anyone who supports dismantling net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a teacher librarian I cannot begin to tell you all of the ways that the internet connects my students with the rest of the world. We use the internet to connect with authors via email and video, to post student work and receive feedback from other students and educators all over the world, and to freely share our thoughts and stories. The professional learning network I have built through Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr and Instagram is invaluable to me. I am a better educator because I have reliable access to a community of educators, authors, illustrators, and librarians as collaborators and friends. I wouldn't even be where I am today without the access to the internet that allowed me to get my masters degree and librarian certification 100% online. It is important to me and to my students that the rules for net neutrality remain and that ISPs are subject to oversight from the FCC. With education budgets already stretched to the max (and it's not looking much better with the president's budget proposals) we literally cannot afford to take the chance that ISPs could potentially hike up their rates and leave us with no alternatives than to pay up or go without. The FCC needs to insure that internet access is fair and reliable for EVERYONE. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I have worked for over 40 years to protecting intellectual freedom for all. | |
| Net Neutrality is the First Amendment of the digital realm. Any action that would abridge digital access would disenfranchise the people of the United States. I do not want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for those who can afford to pay and "slow lanes" for those who unable to pay. Access to the information should be available to all without paying a premium price. | |
| Help us protect innovation and our democratic way of life. Protect Net Neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I rely on the Internet to the teach the future leaders of our great Nation how to research. Net Neutrality helps protect their ability to find actual research. Cancer statistics from the Cleveland Clinic's webpage load just as fast a pharmaceutical company's page. Research is the cornerstone to democracy. I urge you to protect net neutrality to enable future generations to lead in confidence with all the facts. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I strongly support the existing Title II oversight of Net Neutrality protections. Do not go along with Ajit Pai's recommendations to do away with Net Neutrality. I do not trust the words of a former Verizon employer. | |
| ---------- | |
| Respect Net Neutrality and keep the Internet providers under Title II regulations. A level and fair field for Web content is necessary for commerce and access to information. The Internet is too integral to everyday life to allow private companies to limit or slow access to different parts of the Internet simply for their own economic advantage. And past history has shown too often that profit and economic advantage is always the driving force of big business, the bottom line justifies anything. As a librarian with decades of experience, I am well aware of the crucial importance of access to information in today's world. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I believe information should be evaluated on accuracy and trustworthiness, not on how much money a group has. ISPs should not be able to prioritize information...that should be the job of consumers. | |
| ---------- | |
| I work as a public librarian because I truly believe that access to information is a cornerstone of democracy. It is my job to be a steward of the public good, in terms of facilitating that access. | |
| Recent shifts away from Net neutrality are a slippery slope towards erosion of democratic freedom on the Web. | |
| Allowing ISP companies to selectively control the speed of their service is antidemocratic and it is indeed censorship. It is antithetical to the purpose of the Internet, which is built as a decentralized and egalitarian information commons. | |
| It maybe tempting to view the bulk of Web and Internet content as mere entertainment and therefore as commodity for sale, but that view is short sighted. Because if net neutrality is displaced by tiered service then very soon cyber-security will also be tiered and this will foster a dangerous Web environment. | |
| The Internet and the Web are radically evolving systems that must be regulated. Net Neutrality is very important to protecting democracy and better for business in the long run. Don't let it get sold out ---we've seen what happens with deregulation in other economic areas. | |
| Please and thank you. | |
| ~D Rhys | |
| Thank you! | |
| Derek Rhys | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a recent graduate with a bachelor of arts in history and intend to serve my community as a public librarian in the future, and both of those actions would not be possible without universal access to information and knowledge that does not prioritize some voices over others. Preserve net neutrality for students, workers, and children. Preserve net neutrality for all. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. Every day I see Americans who cannot complete economically with large corporations as they run their businesses online. I work with adults who seek information they need for their health. I work with students who use the net for their schooling. I work with seniors who use the internet to connect to family far away. These American deserve fair and equitable access. It's imperative that the FCC protect Net Neutrality because neutrality is just plain democratic. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian who lives in a rural area, and the FCC's Net Neutrality Rules are extremely important to me. I am writing to ask you to protect them. I do not believe that Chairman Pai's proposal to allow ISPs to block or slow down access to websites will actually restore Internet Freedom. This proposal should actually be titled RESTORING INTERNET SLAVERY! | |
| Because I live in a rural area, I do not have a lot of choices for Internet providers. The broadband zip code matcher is incorrect, I only have a choice of 2 providers.) I don't want Internet Service Providers (one of which is also a cable TV provier) to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs limit what we see and do online. Monopolistic behavior by ISPs, slowing services for some websites, is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. Courts have made it clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TO USE CERTAIN WEBSITES OR SERVICES. Unfortunately, FCC Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. This will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. Internet providers will be able to impose a service fee on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. It is clear that the FCC already has given in to the big Internet Service Providers by failing to ensure that the comments in favor of net neutrality WERE ACTUALLY SENT BY REAL PEOPLE, AND NOT BY COMPANIES THAT STOLE PEOPLE'S IDENTITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR STANCE. | |
| I am against any changes to net neutrality. This letter will also be sent to my members of Congress (one of whom is in the pocket of the ISPs). DO NOT RESTORE INTERNET SLAVERY! | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Linda Zellmer | |
| Linda Zellmer | |
| ---------- | |
| It is distressing to me that we are having to fight this fight again. Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity! Although this proceeding purports to restore internet freedom, I feel that it would in fact do the opposite by allowing ISPs and other entities the opportunity to control what I can see and do on the internet and, equally as important, charge different people and organizations different prices to access the internet. | |
| As a librarian, I passionately believe that access to information - any and all available information - is a basic human right. Schools, libraries, and other public institutions provide that access to many who can't afford it for themselves, resulting in high internet usage that could potentially become cost prohibitive if ISPs decide to implement a tiered pricing structure. I also fear infringement on some of the personal freedoms afforded to us as citizens of a democracy. If providers have unregulated control, outright censorship or blocking of sites could result. I am opposed to this and urge the FCC to keep the net neutral! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I strongly believe in open access to information for all people. | |
| As a citizen, I strongly believe that businesses should not take precedent over, nor be able to dictate to, my fellow citizens. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to express my support of keeping the ISP companies under the Title 2 and to protecting net neutrality as it exists under current conditions. Without these regulations companies will not have any incentive to deliver fair access to all internet resources. Net neutrality is essential to providing a robust democracy. As a public librarian, I work hard to ensure all citizens have access to what I consider to be a necessity in today's society. Removing net neutrality will most definitely affect all citizens--especially the underserved. | |
| ---------- | |
| Keep the lanes of the internet open.No company should have the right to send information based on sponsored content. I am a librarian, and access to information is essential for all people no matter where they come from or the socioeconomic status. | |
| ---------- | |
| I urge you to preserve net neutrality and Title 2. Equal access to online information is important to the public, as well as to libraries. As a librarian, this is an issue that directly affects my work. Why does net neutrality matter to libraries? According to ALA: | |
| "The American Library Association is a strong advocate for intellectual freedom, which is the 'right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.' Intellectual freedom is critical to our democracy, because we rely on people’s ability to inform themselves. The Internet connects people of diverse geographical, political, or ideological origins, greatly enhancing everyone’s ability to share and to inform both themselves and others. | |
| Our libraries’ longstanding commitment to freedom of expression in the realm of content is well-known; in the context of the net neutrality debate, however, we believe it is equally important to stress that the freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services will be central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. A world in which librarians and other noncommercial enterprises are of necessity limited to the Internet’s 'slow lanes' while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment seems to us to be overlooking a central priority for a democratic society – the necessity of enabling educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them. | |
| The ability of the Internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better. With modern technology, individuals and small groups can produce rich audio and video resources that used to be the exclusive domain of large companies. We must work to ensure that these resources are not relegated to second-class delivery on the Internet – or else the intellectual freedoms fostered by the Internet will be constrained. | |
| One application that libraries are especially invested in is distance learning. Classes offered using audio and video streamed over the Internet have huge potential to bring expert teachers into the homes of students around the globe." | |
| Thank you for your time. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a researcher, librarian, and citizen I depend on a fast, unfettered internet in nearly all of my everyday dealings. But I am not speaking up now because of my roles and my needs, alone. Rather, the internet must remain neutral because we need diverse voices on the net, and we need to do everything we can to be more inclusive to those whose voices often go unheard. Without net neutrality, there will be even more obstacles to get in the way of improving digital literacy, and increasing access to the net itself and even more broadly (to services, goods, and other necessities). And, in consequence, we will shut out, and keep out, many people. This isn't what we want. The internet affords freedom of possibility and should never be compromised. Net neutrality is vital. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian who, informed by the ethics of my profession, values freedom of information and equitable access above all else. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, member of several Internet-based communities (professional, social and commercial), and a person who believes in open communication for all Americans, the need for the FCC to support and uphold Net Neutrality rules is crucial to our nation's future. The rules classifying Internet providers as "Information Services" are archaic and a legacy of a time when the FCC needed to use them to promote the growth of Internet service providers. That time has passed. The Internet is now America's Main Street, the dominant forum for American communication and growth. A Neutral Net, one that treats Internet service providers as the utilities, the telecommunication providers that they have grown into being, is an absolute necessity for American civil and economic life. Please continue to uphold Net Neutrality as a way to support the Internet needs of all Americans! | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is extremely important to me personally and as someone who works with large amounts of the public, including students and researchers. An open internet is extremely important for society, research, connecting to love ones, engaging in what we love and enjoy and we should continue to support the open internet structure that exists to prevent the stemming of creativity, knowledge and expression. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I help students find and evaluate information they find online. One of the main criteria they use to evaluate is bias - who is paying for this information? If the internet's content is influenced by ISP monopolies and interests, how can I tell my students that *anything* they find online is not influenced by bias? We need to protect Open Internet rules and fight against bias in the Internet content we use to entertain ourselves, conduct research, and make purchasing or health decisions. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. That right there should tell you why I support net neutrality. But if you have not taken the time to get to know your friendly neighborhood librarian, here are a few things you should know. Not everyone in America has access to a computer with internet, and not everyone is technologically literate. However, every day, librarians in America work to bridge that gap and provide an even chance to those who are trying to improve their lives. If net neutrality is not maintained, that small chance, that little foot up that the library provides, may disappear. Libraries are consistently underfunded, especially in rural areas where free internet access at a local library is the only way many people are able to do necessary things online, like filing taxes, filling out job applications, or filing for medicaid. Libraries, often with limited budgets, pay for internet access for their patrons. By taking away net neutrality, you are not only allowing for possible censorship by a large corporation who has no accountability for that censorship, but you are also likely cutting off opportunities for life improvement to some of our most vulnerable populations in the US. I urge you to support and maintain net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is the greatest human collaboration and most democratizing force on earth. I'm a librarian working in a creative private business, and I'm also a mother. I don't want to see creativity and innovation in my industry stifled, and I don't want to see a wider digital divide among my son's generation. I don't want to see library patron and school children receive a "different" internet. | |
| When I purchase broadband and internet service from Comcast, one of only two local providers, I expect the bandwidth I already pay a lot of money for. But, I also use this service for email, cloud storage, access to new art and entertainment, communication with distant relatives spread across our country, educational content for my son, research for my job, and the ability to work from home as needed. | |
| I fully understand the debate over net neutrality is really one about whether the FCC, which is tasked by law to oversee communications networks, will have any role in overseeing access to the most important network of our lifetimes. This role includes ensuring that consumers are protected from, among other things, invasions of their privacy, fraudulent billing and price gouging by their broadband providers. If the FCC is left without authority over broadband ISPs, Comcast could double its prices overnight, and there wouldn’t be anything the FCC or any other agency could do about it. | |
| thank you, | |
| Phoebe Owens | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support keeping net neutrality. As a small business owner broadband services are central to the success of my business. My website (web hosted) is the main way I attract new customers and cloud storage is where I store my documents. Also as a the president of my town's library board we use online collaboration software to effectively communicate and work on projects. | |
| In addition I purchase broadband which is host of telecommunication services. The bundle of internet services I purchase is not simply access to the internet but access to hosted email, web hosting, and cloud storage. These telecommunication services are covered under Title II and need strict oversight. | |
| There are fewer and fewer internet service providers. With this loss of competition comes a need to have strict oversight. If net neutrality goes away and broadband is no longer considered a telecommunication service then Comcast could double rate and the FCC could do nothing to stop them. | |
| As a small business owner and a librarian who believes that equal access to information I urge you to keep net neutrality. Thank you for your time, | |
| Fiona | |
| ---------- | |
| In short, I support Net Neutrality in the fullest! As a librarian, I see Net Neutrality as another avenue for equity of access to information as well as an outlet for free speech and intellectual freedom. | |
| ---------- | |
| To whom it may concern: As a scholar with research background in the Internet and computer-mediated-communication and an academic librarian, I support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. Maintaining net neutrality backed by Title II regulations is critical for American innovation and progress, and is essential to compete economically, scientifically, and technologically on a global scale Sincerely, Braddlee, Ph.D. | |
| ---------- | |
| Preserve net neutrality and Title II. I specifically support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. I am a public librarian and I have seen the ways that anti-net neutrality policies would harm those who use the libraries most. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need to keep Net Neutrality. As a librarian, I have a vested interest in the accessibility of knowledge and learning. Eliminating Net Neutrality would open the door to a huge number of potential ills, where the internet as we know it is cut up into individually-priced sites and services, making it more unaffordable/inaccessible for less privileged Americans than it already is. Our society depends on a free, open, equally-accessible internet, and that requires Net Neutrality. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear Sir or Madam: | |
| As a librarian, I find the initiative to eliminate net neutrality deeply disturbing. Public access to information, be it in print or electronic form, is a matter for the individual, not service providers, to decide. Allowing service providers to hold sway over what digital content is more important and to which the public should have easier or more difficult access is antithetical to American values. | |
| The status quo is serving the public just fine. There is no justifiable reason to change our direction now. | |
| Thank you for your time. | |
| Keith Gabel | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian who is committed to unrestricted access to information for my users, I believe that net neutrality is key to keeping the internet accessible to all and not just those who have the money to pay to get the high-speed content they desire. Anything that seeks to prioritize internet access based on what your ISP wants, is wrong. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian and I know that libraries stand for equitable access to online information to all. An open internet is essential to free speech, economic growth and educational achievement. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I value the open internet and the information it provides. Equal access to the entire internet, for all citizens, regardless of economic status, is essential for an informed society. Please maintain the current strong net neutrality rules that give people -- not ISPs -- the power to access and select the information they need. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I'm a librarian that serves community members who do not have access to high speed internet access at their homes or jobs. They need fast, reliable web service to search and apply for jobs, complete online courses, check email and more. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a student librarian, I have experienced the benefits an open internet firsthand. I believe it is absolutely necessary for my patrons to have access to a wide variety of websites for all their information needs. A limited internet will inevitably lead to a less informed public. | |
| As an individual, there is nothing I want more than to experience all that the internet can offer me in my lifetime. Because of the internet, I have made incredible friends, experienced hours of unforgettable entertainment, and been able to become a much more informed person. It would be terrible for me, and for anyone else who has had experiences similar to mine, if that was lost. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian, a state government employee, and destroying net neutrality would severely impact my ability to do my work for the betterment of the community I serve. | |
| YES to net neutrality, NO to its opposition. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a public librarian and wish to state that net neutrality is an extremely important to me and my community. Most citizens strongly appreciate the status quo of an open internet in which Internet Service Providers are prohibited from giving priority to certain users for certain content. The so-called "Restoring Internet Freedom Act" dangerously threatens this. The potential imbalance the passage of this act would cause would increase the already growing disparities between wealthy and the poor, aggravating social problems that are already harming many Americans. | |
| I hope that all who have the ability to make this decision appreciate how much Net Neutrality is valued by myself and my community in Orange County, NY. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me and my work as a librarian. I urge you to protect them and the interests of the American public. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Julia Hughes | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a public librarian, I see the importance of fair and timely internet access for all community members. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| As a digital librarian, I work everyday to provide all users everywhere free online access to digital resources like historical photographs and texts. These resources document our shared cultural heritage, and a vast majority of them are kept in the public trust and made available online through public funding. Without net neutrality protections, free public services like mine would be severely impacted; Americans would no longer be able to quickly and easily access their own history, to which they are entitled through their tax dollars. | |
| Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC has a moral and legal obligation to the citizens of the United States to ensure continued net neutrality. The FCC is tasked with protecting the nation's citizens from overreach by the private sector, most especially with regards to our communication infrastructure and technology. | |
| The future of democracy as well as the welfare of the people of the United States - and the rest of the world - demands that the FCC resist any and all encroachment by the private sector with regards to the Internet, and by extension, all forms of communication. | |
| Respectfully, | |
| Eric Rife | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, having easy, unfettered access to information is key to being a citizen in today's world. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| My goal as a digital citizen is to receive reliable access to an open Internet, meaning all content from all information providers equally available at reasonable speeds. The information I seek and the choices I make as a consumer depend on my judgement of what's appropriate for my circumstances and my ability to search for information skillfully online, not what is economically advantageous to my ISP or the ability of the websites to pay to reach me. This includes decisions about car mechanics, global news sites, purchases from small businesses, healthcare providers, healthy food choices, research in my field, job hunting and ultimately where I went to graduate school. | |
| The FCC is the best possible agency to help ensure that net neutrality continues. Protect the consumer; protect us against the potential for discriminatory information access inflicted by ISP's. 58% of Americans have access to zero or one broadband ISP (FCC, 2015), and would therefore not be able to choose a non-discriminatory ISP over a discriminatory ISP. I am privileged to live in a city where multiple ISPs are available, but others are not. Whether or not the option is fiscally possible, no one should have to choose a more expensive ISP purely because it does not discriminate against certain information providers. | |
| Net neutrality for me as an individual means I get to decide what information to look at and the sites I look at are equally available, whether commercial or educational. The loss of net neutrality would affect me economically, socially and politically. As a librarian, net neutrality for me means intellectual freedom for the audiences I support and assurance that they have equal opportunity to inform themselves (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/telecom/netneutrality#whylib). | |
| The Internet is an amazing platform for human expression, and demonstrates our enormous capacity for diverse growth and adaptation. Let's keep it that way. | |
| ---------- | |
| I urge the FCC to support net neutrality to keep the Internet free and open to all. As a librarian, I believe that the free flow of information is essential to both an informed public and a strong democracy. | |
| ---------- | |
| Corporations already have too much power of influencing rules and laws in our government. This is just another way of drowning out the common person and small businesses. Corporations can pay for advertising right now that small businesses or individuals can't. That's good enough. We don't need to have our ISPs controlling what we can access easily. | |
| I am a school librarian. If our ISP has a certain political or social leaning or affiliation (which it more than likely will have because everything seems to nowadays), they can limit the news and search results for students and staff, resulting in a lack of understanding on an issue, or complete misinformation. Our society is already facing huge issues with misinformation and "fake news." We don't need our ISPs to have more control over our Internet to add to this. | |
| Without an open Internet, our world will get even worse. We don't want to become a country with controlled Internet access like North Korea, China, or Russia. The US will definitely lose its position of leadership in the world. | |
| ---------- | |
| I want to express my grave concerns about the proposed removal of the legal authority (Title II) used to implement net neutrality rules. As a public librarian, providing equal access to information to all is my first priority, and the idea that ISPs could have the freedom to rank, curate, or otherwise prioritize access to resources on the internet is very troubling to me. I view internet access as being very much like any other necessary utility, such as electricity. To provide an analogy, if my power company (and I only have one choice where I live, as I also only have one choice for broadband) decided to reduce the amount of power delivered to my stove and chose to instead deliver more power to my television, this would be a serious problem for me and my daily activities. The internet is not just a delivery system for entertainment - it is essential to the daily activities of people's lives and I know this, as I provide public computer access to people five days a week. Please do not remove this legal basis for net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Allowing non-neutrality on the internet would be like saying that one could use the library, but they may only read books by one publisher. And while some authors are able to pay the publisher to put more copies of their books on shelves, other authors who can't afford to pay have less shelf space, less copies available that sometimes even forces the reader to check out just pages at a time. One would also have to pay the publisher an exorbitant fee once a month and it takes weeks just to set up your library card because a librarian has to verify your house address in person but keeps coming by when you're not at home. | |
| The internet is a library and everyone should have the right to access information without gratuitous boundaries set by a few already extremely wealthy corporations. | |
| ---------- | |
| I use Skype and Facebook every day to contact family, call my bank, keep in touch with friends. I take online courses to renew my teaching certificate, and these often require me to watch streaming videos. Net neutrality allows me to do all of these activities and more with the same ease I type this message. Moreover, as a high school librarian, a large part of my job involves accessing online resources. The US has some of the slowest, most expensive internet in the developed world. We're one of the few developed countries that does NOT regard it as a public utility. We MUST guarantee equal access for all, and not allow the Telecom giants to the public for access to broadband cables that were largely subsidized by our tax dollars. The role fo the FCC is to protect the PUBLIC interest, not that of corporations. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian working in Appalachia, the internet is extremely important to me. We have many distance students, and without the internet I wouldn't be able to work with them. Not to mention that considering the education gaps in West Virginia, many of our students and colleagues are only able to get some education or certifications from the web. Safe to say, the internet is both incredibly important in my personal life and for my students and career. | |
| It's thus very important that net neutrality continue to be protected and that the service continues to be classified as at telecommunications service instead of an information one. Information service implies that I'm offered things other than just just internet access, and I neither want nor need that. Comcast already offers an email service, and I have never ever used it, except when forced by them to as a login. I am quite happy with my current cloud, email and other services, none of which are given by my internet provider. | |
| These rules are important because usually there isn't another internet provider for me to go to. As a librarian, I can only afford to live in apartments, and there usually isn't a choice given there between service providers. If one internet company raises their rates absurdly I can't just switch. Similarly, if my students cannot access content because one company censors it, they probably cannot switch either. | |
| We have enough fake news. Access to a free and unfettered internet is essential to continuing to pursue the truth. | |
| Please continue to protect net neutrality. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| Paragraph 84 asks for comments on the need for the no paid prioritization rule. As a college librarian, I regularly work with students who need access to information on the internet which may not always be popular or in high demand. The producers of this information (such as independent or non-profit researchers) may not be able to pay to have their information prioritized by Internet Service Providers. The no paid prioritization rule protects this information from being throttled or blocked due to the inability to pay extra. Eliminating the no paid prioritization rule would have a detrimental effect on the ability of all internet users to create, share, and access information freely. This rule is absolutely vital to a free, open, and dynamic Internet. Thank you for reading my comment. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly support net neutrality backed by title 2 oversite of ISPs | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| In this age of "fake news", librarians are challenged to keep our students focused and on a level and unbiased information plain. New expression and innovation are the one of the important outcomes of the internet and if | |
| Ajit Pai sells out to the telecom giants this be undermined. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is crucial to the freedom of the press and open, democratic exchange of ideas and information. Allowing an ISP to determine what content a user can access would be like allowing a librarian to decide which books a person could borrow from the library. The ISP didn't create the internet, the librarian didn't create the library. The ISP gets paid by the consumer for access and what is accessible needs to remain open and equal to all people. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian at a university, and full, open access to information sources is critical to a thriving educational system. When students, teachers, and researchers have the full and uncensored access to information they need to conduct research, learn new approaches to solving problems, and engage in democracy, everyone wins. Please support democracy and the American people over greedy ISP companies. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian who is extremely concerned about equal access to information for all, net neutrality is vital and absolutely should be upheld. Information is a criticall need in today's world, and the playing field should be level in providing (and receiving) information. Priority should definitely not be given to select corporations. | |
| ---------- | |
| My name is Adrienne. I am a writer and a reader, a librarian and a patron. I spend my days doing research for the library I work at and my nights doing research and writing for my own pleasure. I believe that, when paying for my Internet access, I pay for the ability to access information I need for research, for writing, and for day to day informational needs. I utilize cloud computing between work and home, and would be lost without the ability to access the information I need when I need it. | |
| The FCC should be there to PROTECT the people. This means ensuring that consumers are protected from invasions of privacy, price gouging by broadband providers, and the like. | |
| Without Net Neutrality, it becomes the decision of these corporations what to charge, what information to allow and limit access to, and what privacy rights they deign to give the user. Corporations cannot be depended on to do these things because they are, almost by definitions, in this market to make money. Money takes precedence over the people who actually earn them this money. | |
| Thank you for your time. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality and hope you will too. As a librarian and frequent user of the internet, this seems like big business getting involved in the freedom of information and altering our capitalistic foundations. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support the principles of "Net Neutrality" and categorizing ISPs as Title II. In the past ISPs have throttled content based on their own determination, and had to be forced to stop in the courts. I want the FCC to have the power to maintain the openness of the current Internet. Mobile providers who say a plan is “unlimited,” but when you exceed the data cap, only throttle sites and services that aren’t part of their approved zero-rating network are another source of concern. | |
| As a public librarian this issue is extremely important to me and my organization to maintain the future of access. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The Internet has made it possible for me to become a librarian, via my grad school's online program. Without net neutrality, I would not be able to use many of the resources that are available, essentially making the program impossible. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian at a university library. I want to be sure that the research and learning materials the university produces and the library licenses reach students and faculty at the same rate they are used to getting for any other resource on the internet. I want to be sure resources from small publishers, such as scholarly societies and university presses, reach students and faculty at the same rate as resources from large corporate publishers. This should be the case whether they are journal and monograph publishers or publishers of video and other digital materials. I want to be sure that research critical of communications services can reach students and faculty no matter who their Internet Service Provider (ISP) is. I want to be sure that resources from new information providers reach students and faculty at the same rate as resources from powerful legacy information providers. An open internet in which ISPs are prohibited from blocking, throttling, degrading, discriminating or prioritizing among online content and services is necessary for a 21st Century research and learning environment. | |
| And we have these qualities under the existing open internet rules of 2015, and these qualities must be preserved. As you well know, these rules took the approach they did because the 2010 open internet rules were thrown out by the courts in a decision that included suggested pathways for open internet rules. The clearest pathway included reclassifying internet services so that the commission has the clear authority to regulate such services in the necessary manner. Thus we need to maintain the 2015 open internet rules and we need to maintain the current classification. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I help people use the internet every day. I know that they are looking for medical advice, consumer information, legal information, and for help in finding jobs. It is not right that the internet should deteriorate from a powerful source of information that helps people be successful in life to an advertising tool for rich companies. | |
| Do not change the current internet rules. It is not right. It is not right for ISPs to sell priority access to certain content providers, and for cable and DSL companies to provide faster connections to websites and services that pay a premium. Please, don't do it. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an academic librarian, it is essential to have neutral, high-speed internet access to carry out our mission to support the education of future generations of leaders as well as research and the creation of new knowledge. Our digital collections and repositories, e-journals, licensed databases, streaming media, online education, and more -- all rely on this neutral, high-speed Internet access. Repeal of the 2015 regulations would allow internet service providers to charge libraries and public institutions of higher education higher rates to have a "fast lane" to this information. It goes against the very premise of equal opportunity. I urge you leave the current regulations in place. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I am a strong supporter of intellectual freedom, which is defined by the American Library Association as the, “right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.” Net neutrality is critical to ensuring my community has free and open access to information. | |
| The City of Dover was hit hard by the recession. The Census Bureau’s 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year estimates 20% of the city’s residents live below the poverty level. Many of my patrons can’t afford computers and/or broadband and rely on the Dover Public Library for these services. There are many ways our community uses the library’s computers and internet access, but here are just a few examples. | |
| The library is a gateway for online learning, with patrons using our computers to complete GED programs or distance education programs to earn their advanced degrees. The library offers several online education programs. Universal Class allows patrons to take courses and earn certificates. Patrons have used these certificates to demonstrate their skills to potential employers, which has resulted in job offers. Transparent Language offers online language learning tools and Learning Express can help patrons looking to become citizens or help them prepare for entrance or career exams. | |
| The Library’s computers are used to apply for jobs or start their own small business. A recent example? We have had a patron use the computers every day for the past month as he looks to start his own small business, a cleaning company. It’s also not unusual for the library to assist individuals who need a computer for a virtual job interview. A lot of state and federal government information can only be easily accessed online. Patrons without computer or internet access who need to apply for benefits, licenses, etc. use the library. Finally, the library’s resources allow our community to stay connected whether it’s posting to social media or reading or watching the news. | |
| All of these services are offered for free as part of the Dover Public Library’s mission to inform and educate. Without net neutrality, ISPs could give certain traffic priority for a fee, which could relegate my library to a “slow lane.” Our democracy is founded on the tenant of social equality. Eliminating net neutrality would mean the creation of a barrier to information and would limit my community’s equality. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and software developer, I support net neutrality. Free and open access to the internet, and equal treatment of internet content, is critical for learners, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because As a librarian, I understand how important equal access to bandwidth is to our democracy. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a future librarian, I believe net neutrality is necessary to allow free and equal access to ALL information, in order for citizens to make free and informed decisions about everything in their lives, from the news they see, the products they buy, and the entertainment they consume. Please do the right thing and preserve an open Internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian and every day I see students and faculty use the internet in diverse ways to do their research. I would hate to see their access throttled, as it would affect what they can produce. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public school teacher-librarian and parent of a 14 year old, I am well-aware of the concerns of free speech and innovation on the internet. Yet I urge the FCC to maintain the laws governing Net Neutrality. It is in the national interest that we preserve the liberties of all citizens to express themselves and communicate in the open forum of digital media. Don't waste another minute on this. We are a country founded on free speech and creativity. Do as your forefathers did and make our country the leader of freedom in this important arena. | |
| ---------- | |
| Good morning: | |
| My name is Stacy Brody. I am currently a Master of Information student at Rutgers University and hope to become an academic librarian or corporate information specialist. The current push by corporate interests to end net neutrality is deeply disturbing to myself and many in this field. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to personal freedom, a concept at the very core of our country's constitution. I urge you to protect them and the people your represent. | |
| Ending net neutrality will give ISPs the power to block websites, slow select sites down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. Considering the extent of information sharing and commerce that occurs online, ending net neutrality rules places a large portion of the economy in the hands of a few powerful corporations. What happens to a "free" market in this situation? | |
| Do NOT let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. As a student in the information sciences, I see great value in the freedom to access and share information online freely. This is a key resource for all of us and the information for which we search can be deeply personal. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| If some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses -just to further enrich a few cable giants. In addition to being an information science student, I am also an entrepreneur with a web presence. Will potential customers wait for a small business site like mine to load in a world without net neutrality? | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do what you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Stacy Brody | |
| Stacy | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not repeal Net Neutrality. My family does so much of our business online. We communicate with family. I do a lot of art in tandem with a friend on the other side of the country, repealing the Net Neutrality rules would likely destroy my ability to keep doing that. I also work for a public library. We're already facing many politically motivated threats to our ability to help people get the access and information they need. Losing Net Neutrality rules and giving companies and the government the right to censor information and restrict access indiscriminately would cripple us and it's completely against the beliefs of librarians everywhere: Free and uncensored information access to all. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support strong net neutrality that is backed by Title II oversight of ISP's. | |
| ---------- | |
| Short explanation of how Net Neutrality affects my job: | |
| I am a reference librarian at a public library in a very blue collar community. | |
| 1. We provide countless individuals with internet access every single day. Many in our community cannot afford an internet enabled device, let alone the monthly cost of purchasing internet access via an ISP. | |
| 2. Patrons use the internet via our library for more than just quick access to the net. They are working on taking online classes, accessing email, and in some cases running portions of their own businesses. | |
| 3. Again, our patrons cannot afford to purchase their own access via the ISPs in our area- WE are their ISP. The library has to have a broad of access as possible. Explaining to patrons over and over that the small personal run website they are attempting to access won't load quickly because that particular mom and pop site can't pay the $$$ needed to get fast access will be a NIGHTMARE. This will mean that we have to literally tell our patrons it's best just not to access that site since it doesn't function quickly. This is taking away the freedom of INFORMATION from the public. | |
| 4. There needs to be a separate oversight group regulating neutrality and ISPs. Plain and simple. | |
| Our country prides itself on education and information. Changing the current laws will unfairly disadvantage those who cannot afford these services. Their tax dollars pay for it for them, don't punish US for providing those services to them. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| The Internet provides an outlet for creativity and a window to the world. As a librarian, I strongly value the opportunities and knowledge it provides for my patrons - and myself. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is an important conduit for communication and education, not to mention entertainment. As a librarian, I see people in a variety of settings using the web every day; unimpeded access is important for everyone, regardless of their financial state, association to corporations, or other qualities. Please maintain net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a public librarian, it's my duty to provide a range of resources that benefit my community's diverse needs. By creating a situation wherein a company has the ability to regulate what they think the people need (read:what they get paid to promote/not block altogether), the people suffer and the ability for the community and it's people to grow is stunted. That cannot and will not be allowed to happen. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian. I know how useful the internet is to getting information to people from all walks of life. "Fast lanes" will only further widen the digital divide. Don't hinder people before they even have a chance to get going. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| #NetNeutrality to me means EVERYONE can EQUALLY access anything on the Internet. As a librarian, an information professional, it disturbs me that ComCast, VZ, TimeWarner, AT&T & more want to charge extra to control access to the Internet. We need to keep it FREE & OPEN. Mahalo. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy protections we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| We need the internet to remain neutral for many aspects of our day to day life. Students, librarians and others will need it for work and study. | |
| It will also help control prices. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a school librarian and I need Net Neutrality to ensure our students become informed citizens. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality as a cornerstone of the open and free internet. Without net neutrality, our internet freedom and liberties are challenged. Personally, as a librarian, this is an issue close to my studies and Information beliefs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, the FCC Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. Thousands of people use the internet resources offered by public libraries across the land. They rely upon this resource to search and apply for jobs, to take care of financial matters, and to keep in touch with family members. I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, make some more accessible than others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay—and slow lanes for everyone else—if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer fast lanes to websites for a fee, and Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do just this. But if you let ISPs make some websites fast and others artificially slow—for a fee—you will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America—just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support Title II rules and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. Thank you! | |
| Merry White | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian in a small rural public school. The internet and free and unencumbered access to the information and diverse perspectives it offers my students is essential. These students need a reliable, neutral source of information. Protect net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I help people who can't afford access to the internet in their homes. The library needs open access to the internet to be able to help our communities with all of their needs. We must be able to afford to provide access to everything our communities need. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I remember first connecting to the internet. I vividly remember the sound of the modem. It sounded less like a computer device, and more like a monster you might see in a movie. I was in middle school, and the school librarian was teaching us about the internet. She told us that the whole of the internet was free to use. We learned how to search, by going to hotbot.com. It took, easily, 5 minutes to load the website. This was in the mid-1990s, and shockingly, not much has changed in the rural area of Mississippi, that I live. For many years, we had dial-up. Then, in the early 2ks, we were able to get Hughesnet satellite internet. It was faster than dialup, but not by a large margin. We were lucky to get 100kbps, and that was when the service wasn't down, or our conservative bandwidth cap of 200mb, wasn't used for the month. During this time, I attended community college. I'm not quite sure how I managed to finish, with such slow internet speeds, but I did. We were subscribed to Hughesnet, until two years ago. Up until then, we had two options, for internet; hughesnet, or dialup. Yes, in 2014/1015, the only available options, in my rural location, were those two mentioned above. And as you might suspect, they are far below the FCCs classification of broadband internet. Today, we subscribe to AT&T U-verse, but even that is far below the FCCs classification of broadband internet. Our speeds are 2mb down, and less than 1mb up. It's better than nothing. | |
| Can you imagine what the internet would be like, if the current net neutrality rules were repealed? The United States could be thrust back, into the 1990s, when the internet was new! Not every household can afford internet, even now. If the laws are repealed, that percentage would rise. But not only that, the speeds would drop, even for those who can afford to pay for the internet. Imagine the younger generation, who never grew up without the internet. They WILL struggle. Let's say an ISP decides to make a "School Package", for $69.99 a month. They know that the parent would be forced to pay, if they want their child to be able to have a full, and complete education. But, on top of that, they would be paying to actually access the internet. Let's assume that that would cost $49.99 a month, for the slowest speed package, at 1mb up, and 100kb down. What if the family had Netflix, before the change? That is another $20.00 for the "Streaming package". Let's say their son is an avid video gamer, and likes to play games, online, with his friends. That might be another $20.00 package. Maybe their daughter likes to blog, so that would be another $20.00 package. The family likes to keep in touch with their grandparents, who live far away? Too bad, unless they can pay for the $20.00 video call package. That, alone would be nearly $200 a month. This might come to be, if the current net neutrality laws are repealed. Please think twice, before repealing these laws. The United States doesn't deserve to suffer any more, than it already is. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing to support net neutrality. As a retired community college librarian I know how access to the internet for all, regardless of ability to pay, enhances the wealth and economy for all. Do not place the internet out of reach for the majority of the people in these United States. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is at the very heart of free speech. If a company, organization, or institution has the ability to prevent access to websites/apps/web services simply because they didn't pay a fee then free speech is handcuffed. As a librarian, I value net neutrality as it means that I can provide the widest breadth of information to my customers without fear that I am missing a resource because my ISP deems it unworthy and blocks access. | |
| ---------- | |
| Keep Net Neutrality. As a librarian, everyday I see the importance of having a free, open Internet with equal access for all as we provide life-sustaining, educational and leisure opportunities necessary to our patrons. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow our ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| The Internet is the most democratic of all technologies as evidenced by its use in other countries to help overthrow dictators. In this country it is a vehicle for employing our first amendment rights as a source for free expression, open dialog, and factual research. Internet providers should be regulated like telephone and electrical companies as an essential service for all 21st Century Americans. It isn't about how fast our Netflix movies stream; it is about how fair our access to information is. Don't let the corporate payers squeeze out the mom and pop sites. Think of the Internet as the Great American Public Library where the librarians understand their mission to provide all the books the people want: short books and long books, books in every language, and even books that some people might find offensive because other people want to read them. Keep our Internet open so the information can flow freely. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, equality of access to information and privacy are key tenets of my profession and core values for me. As a citizen, I believe the free flow of information is vital to a functioning democracy. Creating tiered access to one of the most important communications mediums ever created is a sure way to throttle free expression, stifle innovation, and increase the digital divide. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian believe that access to the free and open internet is an immeasurably valuable tool to the public. Every day I help people use the internet to educate themselves, find jobs, start small businesses, and learn about the world outside of their own experience. As an American citizen I expect that the internet I access will be free and fair no matter how much money, or political sway you have. | |
| When I personally purchase internet access from an ISP I expect that I will be granted equal access, and equal speeds, to everything I choose to view, search, and use. I use many services that are not directly tied to my ISP, and I value those services. Things like email, only communities, media apps, and cloud services make both my personal and professional life better. | |
| I expect the FCC to protect me, the consumer, from invasions of privacy, price gouging, and other things that ISPs might feel is within their power if the FCC no longer holds any authority over them. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian, which I hope makes it clear why I am urging the FCC to maintain or improve existing net neutrality rules. As someone whose work focuses on accessibility, equality, and critical evaluation of available information, it should be no surprise that I am in favor of rules that support the continuation (or bettering) of those ideals. | |
| What may not be obvious is what is implicit in the third of them--should net neutrality be abandoned, and for-profit companies (whether ISPs, content providers, or retail corporations) and other organizations with certain advantages (such as government agencies...) will suddenly have the ability to wholly dictate what information is available to internet users (i.e. nearly the entire American public). | |
| To allow such a monopoly on content would be to allow the quest for profit to dictate truth, in a country were education has already been compromised by decades of gutted funding (with the free and open internet being the greatest tool in aid of rectifying that situation). The combination of potentially spurious information proliferating as society's ability to critically evaluate the content they are able to access declines will be fatal to this country. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, access to information is important. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs should NEVER have VIPs. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian in a small town I can think of hundreds of reasons to keep our 'net free and open to the public. Putting restrictions and invitations to "pay to play" would restrict access for folks in my community where a majority of us still only have access to DIAL UP. This sort of thinking is SHORT SIGHTED and 100% BACKWARDS when one looks at other countries that are working so hard to pull high speed to EVERYONE. From the small town businessperson just trying to carve out their own niche to the 1,000's of folks who are told to do EVERYTHING online from job searches & applications to TAXES... Knock off this insane monkey business. EVERYONE deserves an equal and open internet regardless their income or ability to pay. To take any other approach is dangerous when one looks at the future of business & the 'net. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a professional librarian and American voter, I strongly support Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers, believe that such regulation is essential for a healthy and free Internet, and ask the FCC to regulate ISPs under Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| One of the fundamental principles of the Internet is the idea of a globally connected web of all of the world's information. It is essentially a giant virtual library. In a library, in fact, all of the content is available to the individual, and all the choice of which material to select is up to him. If he wishes to browse, he may, and if he desires something specific, only his determination and understanding of the Dewey Decimal System (or ability to ask a librarian) stand in his way of finding it, not any third-party interference. A library is not a book store, and a librarian is not a salesman. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I know the free flow of information on the Internet is vital to our society as a whole and to individual citizens. Taking away net neutrality and placing the flow of information in the hands of ISP's halts discourse, stifles innovation, and could potentially cut citizens off from vital resources. Please preserve net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear FCC, | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because | |
| Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The Internet matters to me because, as a college librarian, I see firsthand the power the Internet holds to empower teachers and learners, to allow students to express themselves and converse with others, to help people connect with one another and learn more about the world around them. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| Best, | |
| Tierney Steelberg | |
| ---------- | |
| Maintaining net neutrality is essential to the way Americans access information, my husbands education, and how I do my job. My husband currently attends WGU and is working on his bachelors degree. Having access to the open net affects everything he does. As an teacher and librarian for an online high school having access to free information not contingent on how much I pay and what someone else decides I should know is essential for myself and my students. We pay for fast internet to have access to all it provides, not so someone else can decided what we want or what they think we should have. Other services we use are not from our ISP and shouldn't have to be! Forcing us to use over-the-top services would be a hindrance to all the internet provides. Where we live there a only 2 choices for ISP's that are fast enough for work and school which means we really would have no other choice for providers. Just another reason that rules supporting net neutrality are essential! | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian. Net Neutrality is ESSENTIAL to what we do as librarians. We provide access to the internet for people that aren't being served, we help people navigate the internet no matter their level of familiarity with the internet, and we provide all sorts of digital services to patrons. I cannot imagine a world without net neutrality, and I hope I don't have to. Our lives (and libraries) will all be poorer for it. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is a vital issue not only for individuals who use the Internet, but for public institutions such as libraries that provide equitable access to online services for their communities. If the demise of Net Neutrality leads to ISPs charging more for different content, blocking certain content, or slowing connections, the increased costs to these institutions will directly impact their ability effectively serve all people. In addition, the blocking or slowing of content by ISPs will cause inequities communities where many people rely on public computers to access resources on the Internet. There is no benefit to individuals in destroying Net Neutrality rules. The only benefit will be to large corporate interests. I am a librarian, and I use the Internet both at work and at home extensively. When I use the Internet at home, I expect to get what I was promised by my ISP: fast, reliable access to the Internet. Not just the parts of the Internet they want to serve to me. The entire Internet. Similarly, at the library, patrons come in with different information needs and wants, and they expect to be able to have those met on the machines we have. There should be no question that the Social Security Administration website will load just as fast as the Amazon website, and that neither will be blocked. Net Neutrality is vital to a free and open Internet for all. Please don't kill it. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. I believe in equal access to the internet for everyone. These proposed changes only help corporations, not regular internet users. DO NOT CHANGE THE RULES. | |
| Grace Jackson | |
| ---------- | |
| As a community college librarian, I know that an open internet which works well for all users is essential to a healthy democracy. This is why I am requesting that the FCC oppose Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to undermine net neutrality. The stakes are very high. Community college students face enormous barriers to get the education they need to improve their lives and achieve economic stability. Students require a fast internet to be able to obtain the learning materials they need, and complete and submit their lessons. It is unconscionable to think that the FCC is considering putting additional burdens on these students by allowing well-heeled ISPs to create a 'slow lane' for internet traffic, which is where library and educational content will inevitably end up. | |
| Under existing Title II rules ensuring a level playing field for all internet users, educational information can travel at the same speeds as the entertainment and commercial information that generates so much money for the advocates of this proposal to undermine net neutrality. Please do not allow for the creation of a tiered internet that privileges the economically powerful over all other users. A free and open internet is essential for democracy. Allowing a few powerful corporations to be gatekeepers of the internet will further the devolution of our country into an oligarchy. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, educator, and lifelong learner, I oppose paid prioritization, fast lanes, and other stratified features of a non-neutral Internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a librarian working in a small town commuity, I see every day the importance of unfettered Internet access to my library's patrons. They use it to apply for jobs and to conduct business (both personal and job related). They use it to learn about and manage health issues for themselves and their families. They use the Internet to explore topics of interest to them, to learn new skills, to complete coursework at college, to shop; and yes, they use the internet for entertainment. Their needs are just as valid as the needs of for-profit ISPs, but their voices are not as loud. That's why we need the continuation of the FCC's net neutrality rules, to ensure that individual members of the public's access to an unfettered intenet is protected. Please help my library's patrons, and individual citizens everywhere in the US, by protecting Internet neutrality rules. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Janice Allman | |
| ---------- | |
| I specifically support strong Net Neutrality, supported by title two oversight of ISP's. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I see people daily who need access to the internet in order to find information, create resumes, and apply for jobs. Limiting or leaving internet access in the hands of commercial interests is wrong in that "the market" only takes care of itself, not the duty and privilege of delivering information access to the American people. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a US citizen I strongly believe in an open, free internet. Internet service providers should and must treat all internet traffic equally. Under no circumstances should it be acceptable to deny or restrict access to information by discriminating between web sites or other online content, treating some preferentially and/or limiting access to others - just as literature that a librarian might deem controversial or undesirable should not be banned from or restricted in a public library. It is vital for the US government to support net neutrality through fair, yet concrete and enforceable legislation. The US should always protect the freedoms of information, education and individual choice. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a former teacher and librarian I am very concerned about any attempt to limit our current policies for net neutrality. If entities are permitted to purchase positioning on web searches, the search for factual truth is harmed. We must protect the people's right to knowledge. Please do not weaken our net neutrality. It is critical to an informed public. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an academic librarian who works with community college students. We need Net Neutrality in order to provide equitable access to information for students, and to ensure that all students are able to reach their academic goals. Many colleges run on lean budgets and may not be able to compete for priority access for their students, putting them at a disadvantage in the workplace and in their pursuit of higher education. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because they will continue to exacerbate the digital divide that still exists in this country, creating a more rigid hierarchy of information haves and have-nots. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian at a public research university with many first-generation college students, I am regularly confronted by the disparities that already exist in terms of access to information and technology. Dismantling net neutrality rules will only further this gap and will disproportionately affect students already impacted by structural inequality. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| To the Commissioners of the FEC: | |
| Open access to the internet is crucial to the economic growth of this country and for the education of its people. I am a public librarian, and I help people all the time who depend on an internet that is unrestricted by commercial purposes to apply for jobs, pay bills, research business opportunities, look for health information and do research for school assignments. Schools and businesses now assume that people have access to a unrestricted internet to do all these things. Equal access to the internet is a necessity and a public utility not a commodity controlled for the gain a a few companies. I urge you all to uphold net neutrality as a principal that will aid all Americans to make gains in economic and educational terms. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Sherri McConnell | |
| ---------- | |
| Hello. | |
| I am a student who is currently Earning a degree in the Library and Information Science field. As a potential librarian, many of my teachers have shown me and my class valuable skills and information through the use of many of these websites. Websites like YouTube allow us to do multiple things like posting video assignments, watching book reviews, and even watching clips for movies that are based off of the books that we use. | |
| Potential librarians like myself also use many websites to find information for the patrons and visitors that come to the library, and many people use the library to use the internet if they don't have it at their homes. | |
| Many students like myself conduct class through an online format and having accessible internet is important to many of us. Many of my classmates attend class from places that are out of state and even out of the country. | |
| Please keep the current internet laws and regulations in place for students and potential librarians like me. | |
| Thank you! | |
| P. Hocker | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian. I use the internet daily. The internet enables people to connect, do research, and learn. It needs to be treated as a utility, not something else companies use against people to make a profit. Please do not allow companies to form their own rules and regulations about the content or speed of what people can access. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Bethany Hager | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, my life is all about connecting people and information. The Open Internet is the greatest tool humanity has ever invented to do just that since the invention of the written word. Culture works by the free and open exchange of ideas. Gatekeepers like ISPs should never get in the way of that. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net neutrality is probably the most important aspect of the internet. It is what keeps the internet free and accessible. As a librarian, the loss of net neutrality would affect my ability to do my job, and my library's ability to serve my community, because we would likely have to make a greater choice between resources as our internet provider would have the capability to charge us extra to subscribe to so ubiquitous a search engine as Google if they so chose. And they would choose if given half a chance. The FCC, the government, has a chance to prevent this from happening, and it should because the government is meant to serve the public good not line the pockets of corporations. Please, please keep the net neutral. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I fight for access to information for all my patrons/library users. The internet can be a great equalizer, and it is no longer an "optional" utility. EVERYTHING happens online, and there mustn't be an additional barrier of tiered pricing to keep people out. As a person that uses the internet, I want to make sure that I'm able to see all the information! Choice is important!! We must be able to have as much knowledge as possible to keep this country creative and inspiring. Without a free internet, what will we become? I don't want to know. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian and the internet is proving to be a bastion of free speech, especially in today's political climate. We need wide open access for everyone at a fair rate. We don't need "tierd levels" of freedom or service! | |
| I use the internet every day at work. If access is changed or "tierd" how am I supposed to properly help my patrons to access what they need and teach them about intellectual freedom and freedom of expression. | |
| I may not like what everyone on the internet has to say, but they have a right to say it here in America. Let's keep things that way. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is neutral. It has been since its creation and that is how it should remain. The purpose of the internet is to allow freely access to any content on the internet. ISPs should not be allowed to dictate the access to this information. | |
| Doing so, in my opinion of how ISPs already operate, allows ISPs to more or less extort additional money from both the individual seeking the content and the entity providing the content. | |
| Lets take an example outside the internet an put in in different terms. The library. I am the customer, the library building is the internet and the librarian is the ISP. There is a monthly fee for my library card, my monthly internet subscription. I expect that with my card I can check out any book in the library freely, right? How it should be. | |
| Sadly this is not the case. I want to check out comic books but I can't; I did not buy the additional comic book card. Okay, now I have to pay for two cards to access what I thought was the whole library. | |
| So now I have my comic book card to check out comic books. Unfortunately my favorite series is unavailable. There is several racks that can hold may books, hundreds, millions but the shelves are mostly empty because the librarian says the comic book provider did not purchase room to have more comics on the shelves. despite there being several racks and most of them empty. Okay there are still a couple of comics on the shelves I will just read those one until new ones come in. However... there is another issue. The librarian says I can check out the comic only when the one that is out comes back... even though there are still books still sitting on the shelf. | |
| However! All the time I have been trying to get my hands on a comic the librarian has been insisting I read a whole selection of knitting books. Why you ask? Well because the knitting books are not only something that the librarian approves of but also the creator of the books paid a very large sum of money to the librarian to have the books on the front shelf and have that content pushed more that the comic book creators because the knitting books paid far more money. | |
| I don't think this is right. When I paid for my library card I wanted access to the whole library. I don't want to have to purchase multiple card to have access to the particular thing I want. I don't want something shoved down my throat because someone paid the librarian to do so. I don't want my access to the comics restricted because the librarian doesn't approve of them or because they didn't pay enough money. | |
| I think this very well explains it in terms that the most simple minded individuals can understand. Why did I put it in such a simple way to understand? Well because I think the government and the associated institutions are full of these simple minded individuals. Every day I continue to lose a little more confidence in U.S. government and everything that makes it up because I feel the government, which is meant to serve and protect the people is instead serving and protecting private interests. This changing of regulations to allow ISPs to control the flow of the internet is such a blatant display that interests of the ISPs are being valued higher than that of the people. The FCC, like the government, is meant to protect the people. If the FCC isn't capable of doing that, than why should it even exist? | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I know the importance of free access of information. My job depends on my ability to access quality information quickly. These new guildelines would make it harder to do my job. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I know that access to information is an essential part of a free society. Not only are the ideas of intellectual freedom, and freedom of information essential to a society that considers itself democratic, but without a flow of ideas, if creativity and expression are tamped down, so too will the economy suffer. To be independent, free individuals, we need to be able to make our own choices, uncensored by cost, about our internet usage. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I believe in net neutrality for the sake of small business advertisement, personalized social niches, and the sandbox education value it holds. Everyone should be able to easily find and access their own internet niche, not be herded by an ISP or their affiliates. It's as if you're walking into a library and the librarian forces you to pick books off a single shelf or in fact crawl through a labyrinth of back rooms where the walls are redundant information and advertisements until you finally find what you're looking for on the bottom floor, just because what you're looking for isn't profitable for the house. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The internet matters to me because I am a librarian that works in an underprivileged community, and I see people every day who are left behind in education and job opportunities because they don't have the same access to information and technology as people who are more fortunate. Giving ISPs the ability to charge more or slow service would disadvantage communities like this one even further. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I believe people have the right to access information and educate themselves. Understanding diverse viewpoints is essential to a well-rounded education. I worry that ending net neutrality will silence the voices of people with valuable viewpoints and limit their ability to educate others. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian at a public library and I see daily how important it is that everyone has equal access to the internet. From finding jobs to getting a food handlers card, to staying connect to friends it is essential that no matter where people they can equally access the internet. The internet is the best equalizer that we have ever had and putting that power into the hands of companies removes the rights of everyone to equally access information. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is necessary for me to do my job of providing patrons with multiple sources of information from different viewpoints. It is necessary for an informed electorate, though that may go against what you want, you need to be more shifty about how you enact it. Please keep our internet free from this. | |
| KellyAnn Griffiths | |
| ---------- | |
| The importance of affordable, equal and available access to the wonders of the internet's information and services is vital to the positive welfare and growth of communities, businesses, not for profits, and families. As a librarian I urge you to realize the importance net neutrality because without quick and easy access so many of our library patrons - job seekers, the poor and homeless, students, parents, the elderly - will greatly suffer. Affordable access in our library allows these patrons to look for and apply for jobs and schools, keep in touch with far away family, search out resources on a variety of topics (daycares, housing, health, local businesses to name a small few), do research and homework, check bank accounts, apply for loans, and so much more. | |
| ---------- | |
| I live and work in rural Vermont where my choices for internet providers are slim, especially for my limited income family. I rely on the internet both to facilitate the services we offer at my library positions in Interlibrary Loan and as a Public Library librarian, and to allow me to keep in contact with my friends and family across the globe. The internet is an integral part of my work and private life, and I honestly do not know what I would do without it. | |
| Without FCC oversight, it would be very easy for companies like Comcast, our current provider, to price the internet so highly I could never afford it, or slow it down to such a degree that I had no hope of getting any use out of it. My Public Library would literally grind to a stop without access to affordable, and usable, internet, which provides all of our circulation functionality. | |
| I believe that the FCC should have the power to prevent such acts against people like myself, my family, and my Public workplace, and ensure that the Internet is affordable, and accessible, to everyone. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, a writer, and a citizen of the United States and the world, an open and equal Internet is invaluable to my life. Please don't put the interests of corporations ahead of the ideals of freedom of speech and access to information. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I know the importance of equal access to all individuals to support a democratic society. Net neutrality must be saved or we are infringing on individuals' rights to access all information - not just what those with money want us to see. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I see on a regular basis the impact that Internet access has on many lives. The Internet is an invaluable tool for those working on education and entrepreneurship to create a better life for themselves and their families. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and I've watched the landscape grow into one where it's very hard to get by without internet. I liken broadband access to a utility. Those who do not have internet or even broadband internet are seriously hindered in applying for jobs, paying their taxes, staying connected with family, networking, running a business, and being competitive in the market. Could you imagine being a startup and not having the capability to have a website? Would anyone take you seriously? And then I think about how few options there are for internet access. I currently only have one option for broadband internet and live in a major metropolitan area. What options are there for those in more rural areas? If a monopoly of only a few powerful internet providers exists, can I really be certain that a fair playing field exists for smaller companies that can provide competition? Please keep the 2015 Network Neutrality Rules and Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 in place to ensure that all are given the opportunities that allowed the internet to develop in the first place. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I know the importance of connectivity in order to function in our society. I demand that you maintain net neutrality so that everyone can accomplish the necessary communications to maintain their lives. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian who helps many people weekly who can't afford the internet, let's stop the myth that big business gives a crap about anything but making money. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian and equality of access is extremely important to my patrons. Libraries and many other nonprofit institutions provide invaluable benefits to disadvantaged populations. It would be a disservice to our country to hand preferential treatment to corporations while denying it to those who build our citizens up. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a parent and librarian I am very concerned about maintaining equal access to all internet sites. I believe that it is the responsibility of all citizens to determine what content and information services are appropriate for themselves and their families. I don't not want an ISP determining what I have access to based on their profit plans. I believe we MUST keep strong net neutrality regulations based on title II. Please do the right thing for the American people. | |
| ---------- | |
| This is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. Do you protect the freedoms of an open internet or submit to corporate authority? Public Utilities don't decide who deserves power and how much, neither should internet provides be making these decisions. The internet is for everyone. The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the meaningful access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a public librarian I see the importance of an internet that is not controlled and limited by corporate lobbyists. People are at the library inventing, innovating and creating work for themselves and creating jobs for others while researching their passions, joys and personal philosophies because of the internet freedoms available to us currently. This freedom of information to flow equally must be maintained. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| My family and I use the internet for so many different things-- we use the internet to research our personal interests, download ebooks from our local public library and access medical records through health portals for just a few examples. | |
| Professionally, I am a librarian at a technical college and I can't imagine life without internet. From finding a book or an article for a student to conference calls with colleagues around the state I depend heavily on internet access to do my job. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Power to the people. That's the idea our government is based on. It might be messy and it can be tricked, but it's the purest form of democracy. Don't take that away. Don't be the villains in history books. | |
| Net neutrality and Title II give users the freedom to use the internet as they wish. It gives users an equal platform. I use my internet connection to stay in touch with friends and family through websites such as Facebook and email sites such as Google. It's how I message my friends on where to meet for dinner or when I'm visiting family. Email not only serves personal use, but it also serves professional use. It's how I keep in touch at work with my coworkers, and how information can be easily spread. It's how I apply to jobs and set up interviews. It works for work and life. | |
| As a librarian, I use the internet to search databases for documents and books for patrons. It allows them to order a book from the entire country and gives them greater access to things they otherwise wouldn't be able to obtain. Internet access also allows patrons access to databases for their use. We have a genealogy club that gathers every month to research the origins of their family. We have computer classes ranging from how to use a computer, Excel basics, email, and resume workshops. It allows us to offer a broad range of services for those who did not grow up with computers. | |
| I also take online classes, ranging from free coding classes to paid marketing classes. Online classes give me the flexibility so that I can gain more skills and be a more valued member of society. I took a class through the Smithsonian Instituted that was co-taught by Stan Lee. In what other circumstance would I have been able to do that if net neutrality didn't exist? I wouldn't have the access. Maybe the class would've been blocked from me. It wouldn't be fair. | |
| Preserve net neutrality. Don't mess it up for the future. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is for everyone. NetNeutrality is a basic right. Countries like North Korea limit their citizens to a world view created by their leader to control what the people see and believe. Removing NetNeutrality is a step in that same direction. In this day and time of "fake news" we need more than ever to be able to make up our own minds on what is real and what is not. I am a librarian and do not believe in censorship of any kind. What next? Ban the books, burn the books, eliminate NetNeutrality. PLEASE use your common sense and let us be grown ups again! Thank You! Lynn A McNeill | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I can already see the difference between those who have fast internet service at home and those who don't have any or have slow service. We don't need to create further divisions between the haves and the have-nots with the removal of net neutrality. The internet has become a utility, like water and electricity, and needs to be seen as that. Without the internet, we as a nation fall behind in our innovations, creativity and economic standing in the world. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian who values the ability to search for credible information using well-established metrics to gauge reliabiity for facts, I oppose ceding my rights to ISPs who can control my access speed and/or control access to certain websites. Contrary to what is claimed by ISPs who want to roll back net neutrality, innovation is stifled when net neutrality is undermined. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian. I see the impact of uncensored, easily accessible information every day. Everyone deserves the same access to information at the same price and speed. Save Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality) is extremely important to me, and critical to my job and my patrons. | |
| Paid "fast lanes" will only increase the digital divide, negatively affecting our country and its ability to educate all citizens equally. | |
| I support freedom of speech and of the press, and am vehemently against censorship. I urge you to support net neutrality and support the future of the world. | |
| Anna Lawrence | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| Speaking as a librarian, i beg you not to limit libraries and other non-commercial enterprises to the internet's "slow lanes." The freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services is central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. It is critical that educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a school teacher and librarian, I teach students and teachers about the importance of digital access in education. The availability of the wealth of human knowledge via the World Wide Web has opened the doors to free access to all. It is fundamental to the role of the Internet in the lives of all people that it be unfettered by market forces any more than it already is. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am an academic librarian and work with faculty, researchers, and students. Advanced education is a powerful social good that helps build an informed citizenry, advance human understanding, and are economic engines of innovation and community investment. A critical component of the educational experience is free and open inquiry - the ability to engage with knowledge and synthesize new understanding and learning. | |
| To provide the richest environment to support research , teaching, and learning requires that academic institutions acquire and provide access to the vast trove of information available on the open internet. I oppose the Chairman's proposal because of the negative impact a "pay-to-play" internet will have on free and open inquiry. Please preserve the current Open Internet rules. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing in support of maintaining ISPs under title II regulations. The principle of net neutrality is crucial to open access to information and supporting consumer rights. As a librarian, I understand that open access to information is an important resource of citizenship. ISPs should regulated tightly since they answer to their investors rather than the American public. It is the responsibility of the FCC to answer to the American people. Please maintain the current regulations in regard to title II and all internet providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| Intellectual freedom and free expression are as fundamental to the Internet as the First Amendment is to American democracy. These also are the core values of America’s public, K-12 school, higher education and all libraries. Commercial ISPs should not be enabled to serve as gatekeepers for the information people may freely access online. | |
| Equitable access to information online depends on the open internet. Prioritized access to some content over others is antithetical to librarian and democratic values. It also runs counter to the innovative and “permissionless” nature of the internet that enables creators to reach global audiences by the quality of their offerings rather than the size of their wallet. | |
| Embedded in both of the above is a commitment to the need to foster and share a diversity of voices, ideas and experiences. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I see the evidence everyday that open and equal access is a difficult but vital goal, and made more difficult by NOT defending net neutrality, a hard won victory two years ago. We have patrons at the library that can't even afford Internet at home, and that seems to be due to the monopoly/stranglehold these ISP providers already have. Everyone should have access. The libraries struggle to provide that to the people. In addition, the Internet providers ought not to have the power to choke access to some websites and promote others, especially growing monopolies like Comcast and Verizon. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I find an open Internet to be invaluable. I believe that everyone, regardless of income, should have access to it and the free-flowing information within. Big businesses have historically never had concern for the rights of individuals, aiming only to make money off of consumers, and that is not the kind of environment that inspires a free exchange of knowledge, or artistic expression, or anything that helps a society. | |
| As a grad student, I already have to pay far more than I can afford to simply be in class. If I have to pay extra to access the sites I need with the speed I need to get my research done, I'm going to be pissed as hell. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I work for UCSF, a major medical University in California. Free and fast access to information makes this librarian/ archivist's work more nuanced and thoroughly. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| How people use the internet should not be judged and fined according to a company's random rules. All Information should be equally attainable regardless of income. As a librarian, we offer services to everyone, many of whom could not access the internet on their own financially in the first place. The small businesses in town who are selling or hiring deserve the same value and consideration as Amazon and other global internet sites as these small businesses and individuals are more important regionally than the "best known" sites. This becomes class warfare if net neutrality dies, obliterating the little man in favor of money. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because the internet and its data should be available equally and fairly for everyone. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I have been a librarian in public libraries for more than 40 years and understand how important access to information is. Data should not be available just for those who can afford it. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I know that video and other high-bandwidth streaming media are not just entertainment but essential tools of education and research. Allowing cable monopolies to selectively control access to these media would harm a vital and widespread system of knowledge and learning. These companies should not get to decide how we innovate with the internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and archivist in both the private and public sectors, one who has spent most of my working days doing research on the Internet from the time it became accessible to researchers in the 1980s, I know how crucial open access to the Internet is. It is not and was never intended to be just a marketing tool, a way for large corporations to sell things and make as much money as possible. It is a huge economic tool, yes, but it is much more than that. Without a truly neutral Internet, medical research will suffer, as will general and specialized education of our people, communication, and business competition among small, innovative, and large companies and organizations. Maintain net neutrality! | |
| Marsha Maguire | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| The above is a pre-written letter I completely agree with. I'm a librarian, and I support the right and freedom of information. Allowing money hungry companies to control who can and can't access this right is immoral, because the ones who will suffer the most is the poor. | |
| Kasey Atkins | |
| ---------- | |
| Please preserve Net Neutrality. This is vital to the free flow of information. As a librarian, I am particularly concerned with the availability of knowledge and information, and Net Neutrality is an important principle in preserving these freedoms. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I strongly support unhindered access to all information, research and entertainment. That is why I specifically support strong net neutrality that is backed by title 2 oversight of ISPs. Thank you | |
| ---------- | |
| Please preserve net neutrality and title 2. As a librarian I strongly believe in maintaining a neutral internet that does not favor any one ISP, website, or resource over another. The possibility for hindering access to vital content is too high of a risk. ISPs do not need more power to favor content, which would be a terrible consequence of eliminating net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please save internet neutrality, I m a librarian I want poor ppl to have access to info. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian in a public library, and see many people come to the library to use the internet because they don't have it at home. These people already have limited time with the internet, and need fast and reliable internet for vital tasks like applying for jobs or completing homework, much of which can only be completed online nowadays. Removing net neutrality rules could hinder internet access for the people who need it the most. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital privacy and access protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I have recently graduated from graduate school and am currently working as a librarian. In addition to using the internet to work, do research, and keep in contact with friends and family, I have personally seen how important net neutrality is for library-goers (everyone) who need access to information. Everyone deserves access to the internet, even and especially those who cannot afford to pay extra for it. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian in a small rural community, open access to information is crucial to those of us with limited broadband access. | |
| ---------- | |
| Dear reader, | |
| I am concerned by the potential loss of net neutrality for several reasons. To be brief I will focus on two. If I enter a library to check out a book, I don't want a librarian to have hidden the book or hinder me in finding it. Likewise, I don't want a company to be able to try to influence what I read online becase of financial incentives or the beliefs of the company's ceo. While the loss of net neutrality doesn't guarantee this sort of behavior, it does remove protection against it. Second, while some might suggest that if the business practices of an ISP are disagreeable then people will switch, eventually leaving only those behave in accordance with the publics values (e.g. privacy, competitve pricing, etc.) As stated in an FCC report from april of this year, 58% of Americans have access to 0 or 1 ISP. If there's only one game in town, then deregulation only opens people up to harm, not benefit. I hope the reader will consider supporting net neutrality to put the benefit to citizens ahead of the benefit to company's profits. | |
| Thank you for your time, | |
| Daniel | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian in a public high school that serves predominantly lower income students. Net Neutrality helps level the playing field between my students and their more affluent peers across the district. If our test scores are going to be compared across the state, every student should have comparable access to information. | |
| ---------- | |
| The internet is an open forum created by our Democracy. You can see true freedom of speech and all the good things and bad things that come with it. With that said, our freedom needs to be protected when browsing the Internet. The Internet is not a resource that is consumed or created, but rather is information and ideas that allows all human beings to connect and grow. It allows us to learn about others, watch almost any form of entertainment, keep us informed of current events, and communicate on a daily basis. It has become a critical part of our lives. | |
| Getting rid of Net Neutrality puts a cost on the information that we can access. It effectively allows another person, corporation, or entity to say the cost of accessing this information is higher. How exactly can you put a price on information? If I use google to email and my ISP makes a deal with yahoo, will the ISP say that the information I use to communicate with google costs more? Does the transmission of data to one site cost an ISP more money than transmitting it to another site? | |
| The point is this. Information is information. Other than Classified information which the government should protect for the benefit of it's people, no entity, corporation, or government should have a say on what the cost is to access specific information. ISPs exist to provide people with a service. ISPs also made a ton of money and most have them have combined into large monopolies that the government does not generally control. How do I know? What options do I have for high-speed internet in my area? I only have 1 option. With that one option, an ISP can charge whatever they want. This is not Capitalism. Where are my other options? Where are my lower costs? Where is the competitor? | |
| Businesses like the idea of getting rid of Net Neutrality. It gives them control over what people will watch and use by forcing people to effectively pay higher rates to access the content they want to. Does an electric company charge me more for what I use my electricity for? Should there be a mandate then when I use an old refrigerator, I should be charged more for my electric then when I am using a tv created by a partner of the electric company? | |
| Is it right that ISPs can charge us for how quickly we access data? Once again, when we pay an ISP, we are paying to be allowed to access data. The ISPs already charge for how quickly we can do that. Is it right to give them the power to also charge us for what we access? | |
| Getting rid of Net Neutrality puts people at the mercy of Corporations. The idea of Capitalism is to allow competition to encourage the best possible products, not give the corporations the power to dictate to consumers what they believe are the best possible products. American's rights of Freedom should extend to allow all Americans to access whatever information they want. There should not be an additional premium placed on accessing that Information from the service that allows us to access that. | |
| I will make one more example that I hope hits home. Imagine the greatest library ever in the world. This library has untold amounts of information. The library contains books, movies, history, the works from all Countries of the world. However, as a person, you are not allowed to go into the library. You are only allowed to access this amazing library by paying runners who meet you at the front of the library. You then tell the runners what books you would like to take home with you. In the current state, the runners charge a flat rate because you hand a sheet of paper to the runner and they run inside the library without reading the sheet and hand it to the librarian. The librarian puts the books in a box, closes the box, and hands it back to the runner (assume the box is weightless). The runner then returns your box to you with your box. This is the internet with Net Neutrality. | |
| Now, take the same scenario, except when you hand the note to the runner, the runner opens the note. The runner writes down what books you want for record-keeping and then varies the rate charged based on what books you want. Let's also say that one of the books you select is written by an author that is a direct competitor to this runner's best friend. The runner then looks at you, provides you the option of selecting his friend's book for a much lower rate rather than paying the high cost for the book you want. But, you really want to read the book you selected. You aren't really interested in the runner's friend's book. The choice is obvious. Pick another runner and get a better rate. Oh wait. You forgot that there used to be four runners, but then one runner who was making more money than the others enlisted the work of those runners. Now there are four runners, but three work for the one runner and all charge the same rate. | |
| As a consumer you have no options because the runners have created a monopoly. The solutions are simple to help the consumer. | |
| 1. Keep the first system. | |
| 2. Don't allow monopolies to exist. | |
| Considering Monopolies do exist with regards to ISPs...the only option left is option 1. | |
| Take a look at my options. | |
| http://broadbandnow.com/New-York/Lewiston?zip=14092 | |
| In particular, look at the consumer rating of these companies. Why are they in business? | |
| Per this site, TWC (now Spectrum) provides services to 99% of people within zip code 14092. | |
| Consumer rating of 2 stars out of 5. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| Net neutrality allows for free enterprise and provides the opportunity for small sites to grow rather than giving ISP's control over our internet usage. An ISP should not have the right to decide how i use this public domain. It is like going to the public library but having a librarian deciding what books I can read and changing the lending period based on which publisher pays the most. It takes away my choice. Chairman Pai's proposal takes us into the realm of Big Brother and takes away what makes America great - innovation, creativity, opportunity and free choice. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Ever since it was created, the internet has run on the free flow of information. Without net neutrality, internet-service providers would be able to charge some users more than others, block content they don't like, and arbitrarily discriminate when connecting users with content. This would have the effect of relegating certain content to the backwaters of the internet, reducing the visibility and impact of important voices in the media. As a librarian, as an employee of a small online nonprofit, and as a longtime netizen who has benefited from the creation of online communities without borders, I oppose any rule to suppress net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I visit a lot of websites that offer free, user-created content. These include webcomics, thoughtful blog discussions, and a number of videos which provide thoughtful insight and commentary on the media I care about. The creators rely on the open internet to allow me to view their content, and therefore rely on my viewership for income. | |
| It is not the place for ISP companies to try and milk me for additional cash so I can view content that they have no part in creating. It is not the place for ISPs to charge fees to provide the same level service and internet speed that I have been receiving for the past 10 years. | |
| Additionally, as an information professional and librarian, I rely on being able to provide reputable and accurate information to patrons quickly. When you are looking for answers, you do not know where they will be. Having a free and open internet guarantees that if I find a valuable site on Google or Bing or wherever, I can be certain that the patron I'm working with can access it just as easily. If I have to consider what provider my patron uses, the quality of their customer service is lowered. | |
| ISPs shouldn't dictate what services and sites are best. The open Internet is the best market to determine the worth of a web site, and no corporation should be able to so blatantly influence the market. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| For some reason when I search for the comment I made previously (to be sure I'd done it) I can't find the comment, so I will reiterate. | |
| I am a librarian in a public library, and I see how people use the internet on a daily basis. It's not an information system, it's a communications system, and should be classified in the same way as telephone calls are. E-mail, for example, is sent between two parties which are NOT the ISPs, and is not broadly dispersed, in the same way that a phone call is made between two parties, and is not simply part of a compilation of information offered by the telephone company. To pretend otherwise is blatant nonsense. | |
| I also see, because we use databases which we pay for, how paywalls and pricing disrupt usage on the internet. The databases are, in fact, compilations of information. But intervening wired or wireless transmission is not. Putting ISPS in the position of being information providers would silo information in a way that would almost certainly mean that people would have to pay for multiple overlapping subscriptions to get access to, say, movies, or even newspaper feeds. | |
| It would also, incidentally, make the ISPs susceptible to lawsuits when people receive death threats, etc. over their systems, because they would no longer be neutral. They can't have it both ways. Either they control what we see, or they don't. | |
| But most importantly, we didn't benefit as a nation when we were lackadaisical enough to consider ISPs to be information systems instead of telecommunications systems. The US still hasn't caught up to the kind of speeds for internet access which are enjoyed in countries which regulated their systems as telecommunications. The lack of any real competition (I don't have much choice where I live) didn't inspire the companies to improve the network much at all, and if that's true for East Boston, which is merely across the harbor from the main part of a major city, it's even more true for rural areas. | |
| There is ample evidence to show that the ISPs have not become unprofitable under the rules implemented in 2015, and hence no need to change what isn't broken. Keep net neutrality and the reality that the FCC is and must be responsible for the telecommunications network that the internet actually is. We don't need to know how it works any more than we need to understand how telephones work. We just need to know that if I use it, I can talk to, or write to, and instantly reach a person on the other side of the world. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian at a small public library. If regulations are loosened on ISPs, those ISPs could throttle access to certain sites or charge more for faster access to them. We have already seen how that kind of model has caused subscription prices for academic journals to skyrocket, so we could certainly see that happen with commoditized access to the internet. Not only would this make access spotty and constricted, it would require higher taxes since the library district would have to seek more funding from its citizens in order to ensure that they get access to the broadband (and online education services provided by the library) that they've come to expect. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support net neutrality and continuation of Title II. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a recently-retired school librarian, I use the internet every day for professional communication and learning, and I have helped students use it for learning and taught them to be responsible online. We need equitable access to the internet for all our citizens to promote learning and democracy. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I support Net Neutrality. Proposed changes to the FCC rules limits people's freedom of expression, exacerbates the digital divide, and inhibits innovation. I am a librarian in a public library and work hard to provide equitable services and give people opportunities to access resource to help them do everything from getting a job to having fun. I'm concerned about the costs of the services we provide--we're not well-funded as it is. Finally, there are just so many threats to Americans' privacy. Why would we add to that by allowing ISPs access to more of our information? I stand with such diverse people and entities as the American Library Association, Business Insider, Google, and Tim Berners-Lee. Please protect the open net. | |
| ---------- | |
| Please do not roll back net neutrality protections, as proposed. I'm a librarian and providing equal access to information for our patrons is something I advocate for everyday. A lot of our patrons don't have a lot of money so we often point them towards free alternatives to paid services and software online, which would be potentially more difficult to access without net neutrality protections. Open source software teams can't compete financially with their for-profit counterparts, and would be even more disadvantaged without an open internet to operate on. We often use open source at the library because we know They are free resources for our customers that can help them do things like write resumes, polish up graphic design portfolios, manage their finances, etc that would be unaffordable for them from for-profit companies who would largely benefit from paid prioritization as proposed in this rule change. | |
| When I pay for internet service, I expect to be able to be able to go anywhere online that I wish and to have each site treated the same as any other. The internet is a conduit or network which is completely separate from the services that I access through it. Information services come from companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft; the ability to reach those services come from ISPs, which are clearly telecommunication service providers. In fact, we should change the acronym to TSP to reflect this! | |
| I have been so pleased in the past several years that the FCC has been willing to stand up for small businesses and ordinary people in protecting the open internet through net neutrality rules and reclassifying ISPs under Title II. We need the FCC to continue being an advocate for everyone online, including fighting for increased competition in ISP markets across the country and fighting for consumer protections when markets are dominated by only one or two players, which happens all the time. When I lived in Texas for a while, Time Warner was the only game in town, for instance. Big companies that have effective monopolies in many markets need a regulatory body focused on the public interest to keep them in check, and I believe that body is the FCC. Don't strip our protections away and leave everyday people with nowhere to turn when an ISP puts their bottom line ahead of customer service and maintaining an open internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I'm writing to ask you to please preserve Net Neutrality and Title II. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a public librarian in a rural library in Michigan. We are passionate about equal access to information for ALL of our citizens. The citizens that generally use a public library for access to the internet are typically lower income and under served. Eliminating net neutrality would further marginalize those who most need complete and free access to information, job resources, educational resources, and much more. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a recently retired public librarian I know how vital net neutrality protections are to the American people and our democracy. Every member of our society should be able to use the Internet at the same speed regardless of their income level! | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow our ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am an academic librarian. People use the Internet as their main way to access information - even information stored in physical media is typically found first through the internet and then acquired in physical form! People don't always do this through work or school; researching is just a part of daily life for just about everyone. And researching isn't done just through formal information channels like libraries and college web sites - it is a very fluid structure, a very fluid process. Net Neutrality is what it takes to make sure that people can see what there is to see and decide what is valid and useful for them. Anything short of Net Neutrality is just spoon feeding one powerful institution's propaganda or another. And whichever powerful institution you prefer to side with, history tells us that the "other guys" will sooner or later have ascendancy. So best we not let any of them be in control of what information we can access. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I urge the FCC to retain net neutrality including both Title 1 & 2 provisions. Net neutrality is critical to ensuring equal access, supportive of businesses of all sizes and essential for souring innovation in all sectors, regardless of size or resource. As a librarian, one of the tenets of my job is the belief that equal access to information is one of the tenets of our society that make us stronger and limitations to that access weaken us as global innovation leaders. Please continue to support net neutrality including both Title 1 & 2 provisions. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I’m writing to urge you to keep our Open Internet rules based on Title II in place. Without them, we could lose the internet as we know it. | |
| As a librarian, I believe in open access wherever possible. We know that the Internet is an essential tool for connecting with our world in business, education, creativity, political involvement, and more. | |
| Please leave the existing existing net neutrality rules based on Title II in place. | |
| Thank you! | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am opposed to the deregulation of ISPs and the weakening of net neutrality described within this document. | |
| While I sympathize with your problem of defining what kind of service 'internet access' is, I don't think 'information service' quite fits either. Most of the information, services, and content on the internet is provided by third-party companies and not the ISPs themselves (as you mention). Internet access certainly facilitates accessing these services, but it is more akin to a road or a train facilitating access to a library than the librarian or the books themselves. As roads, trains, buses etc. carry anyone anywhere they can, so too should ISPs carry anyone anywhere (legal) on the internet without respect to any conceivable bias or profit scheme. They should, in my view, be classified as common carriers so that internet access will be provided to everyone without discrimination or preference. | |
| In the same vein, the bright line rules are still necessary. Whether or not ISPs have elected to abide by these rules in the past is immaterial. If we are to have a free and open internet, we need concrete rules on how that is maintained. Rules against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization are essential for this reason. All these rules protect against ISP favoritism of websites/companies and limit the power of an ISP to control access to sites they may not agree with or are trying to compete against. For example, if an ISP wanted to create a Netflix like streaming service, it might behoove them to block or severely slow down Netflix for their customers so as to compete better. Likewise, an ISP could in theory decide to charge companies that use their network or slow down their sites, putting undue burden on businesses, especially start ups and smaller companies. Things like these would harm competition and growth, limiting consumer choice and reducing they quality of services available to them and also allow ISPs to more or less decide who succeeds and who fails in particular markets. I can think of no reason why these rules would be burdensome as they merely require ISPs to show all content and services equally. | |
| In short, for a free and open internet, where everyone has equal access to all websites and businesses can compete fairly, please do not remove the Bright Line Rules or reclassify ISPs as anything other than common carriers. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the vital privacy and access rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, it is important to me, that people decide what they can and don't wish to do online. The Internet provides a forum for all voices. This should not be restricted in any form. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As both a U.S. citizen and a librarian I believe in the necessity of Internet freedom for everyone. I've been reporting on and covering the issue of Open Internet/Net Neutrality for 7 years now, and I and many others believe that it's essential for our society. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| Hi, | |
| I'm a librarian and he FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. Please protect them! | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. It goes against our fundamental rights as informed citizens. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Jessica Clemons | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I understand just how important free access to information can be. In order to live in a democratic society we have to provide access to information to every citizen, for free, without anyone judging or looking at the content we view. Libraries have for many years provided the only access people had to this information. We now have the internet which has given even more people access to a wealth of information. It has opened the doors to education, entertainment, and connection across the world. Without Net Neutrality we will kill one of the greatest inventions America has ever created. Without open access to the internet we will kill our democracy. Giving ISPs power to control what people see online is going backwards in history. Stand up for what's right and don't do this. The people don't want it. The only ones who do are the ISPs... We should make laws for the people, not corporations. Don't take away our internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I agree with the American Library Association's explanation of why net neutrality is so important for libraries. | |
| "The American Library Association is a strong advocate for intellectual freedom, which is the “right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.” Intellectual freedom is critical to our democracy, because we rely on people’s ability to inform themselves. The Internet connects people of diverse geographical, political, or ideological origins, greatly enhancing everyone’s ability to share and to inform both themselves and others. | |
| Our libraries’ longstanding commitment to freedom of expression in the realm of content is well-known; in the context of the net neutrality debate, however, we believe it is equally important to stress that the freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services will be central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. A world in which librarians and other noncommercial enterprises are of necessity limited to the Internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment seems to us to be overlooking a central priority for a democratic society – the necessity of enabling educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them. | |
| The ability of the Internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better. With modern technology, individuals and small groups can produce rich audio and video resources that used to be the exclusive domain of large companies. We must work to ensure that these resources are not relegated to second-class delivery on the Internet—or else the intellectual freedoms fostered by the Internet will be constrained." | |
| http://www.ala.org/advocacy/telecom/netneutrality | |
| ---------- | |
| The free exchange of information, assisted by net neutrality, is an integral part of everyday life. As a librarian, and someone who works with youth in disenfranchised areas, we should be opening access to everyone, not restricting it by allowing ISPs and corporate interests to further limiting access and accessibility. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian with the federal government, believe that net neutrality is essential as title for the federal government, for citizens, and for companies to compete fairly. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the vital privacy and access protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian I feel the Internet is a great public good for use by all, not only those that can afford to pay a premium. Creating different levels of Internet access inherently creates inequalities that could have deep and long term effects on those with less quality access. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a retired librarian, I find it abhorrent that it would even be considered to allow Internet providers to censor what their subscribers can view. This goes against free access to knowledge that all libraries and librarians support. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a public librarian, I know the importance of connectivity in order to function in our society. I demand that you maintain net neutrality so that everyone can accomplish the necessary communications to maintain their lives. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I was taught in grad school that information is for everyone, and the greatest thing a library can do for their patrons is to expand access. Whether that be getting more books on a certain topic, improving the ebook collection, or helping a patron understand what they are reading and helping them find more sources. | |
| In many ways, the internet has replaced libraries* as the first place people think of when they need and want information. In a library, a patron should be able to find out information on a topic, no matter their view point on it. The internet should be the same. We are living in a time of deep division in this country; it is seeping into numerous aspects of daily life. I don't want an ISP to be able to make that division deeper, so that they can line their pockets more. I don't think an ISP should be able to block users from seeing a website of their competitor. An ISP should not get to decide if a student can properly do a research project showing both sides of a hot button issue. An ISP should not get to decide what information a citizen of this country can see about a political candidate, based on whether or not that candidate will support the ISP's agenda. An ISP should not get to slow down the speed with which a website loads for a consumer, just because the ISP is unhappy with the company that the consumer is trying to access. | |
| Maintaining net neutrality is essential to maintaining access for users. This proposal is looking out for corporations, not consumers; and that is beyond disheartening. The proposal states that the FCC wants to explore "ways to reduce needless red tape'. What exactly makes the red tape needless? Many times rules and regulations were implemented for a reason, often to protect consumers, such as the laws in place to protect consumers against monopolies. Companies will and have abused their consumers' trust. Net Neutrality laws are important to help keep companies from abusing their power. | |
| The "Restoring Internet Freedom" proposal is dripping with bias. It claims it wants a return to bipartisanship, but how is that possible when the proposal is written as a thinly veiled attack on previous rulings and blatantly pro-corporation? | |
| *NOTE: Libraries are still important. The role of these institutions is just shifting slightly. That is not what this comment is about though. | |
| ---------- | |
| Internet service providers (ISPs) must be required to handle all data equally. ISPs must have no means to control the use of public infrastructure. Allocating them this control is legalizing corruption. The internet is public domain. Taxes paid for, and will continue to pay for, the infrastructure that ISPs are paid to maintain. The internet is a public library. The ISPs are nothing more than public librarians. Eliminating net neutrality is the equivalent of allowing a public librarian to collect money from authors for prime placement in a public library. Librarians are paid by their customers to maintain the library; they are not, nor should they be, paid by authors. Currently there is no prime placement on the internet (that ISPs will admit to, as far as I know); all shelves are equal. However, eliminating net neutrality will create a distinction between the bookcases, make it easier to access certain shelves. Clearly the goal of eliminating net neutrality, which would do nothing more than synthesize this imbalance, is to create revenue for ISPs. That does not benefit me, or the public, in any way. It solves no problem, and it addresses no issue. There is literally no benefit to the public. I am firmly opposed to allowing a "fast lane". I am firmly opposed to allowing ISPs to collect money from content providers. In this case there is no argument to be made that the librarian must choose what authors are in the stacks. Our library is not running out of space, and if it does, ISPs will not be footing the bill for expansion. There is no reason that all data cannot be treated equally by ISPs. The author must find a means to print the book, and the content provider a means to host the data. The public must search the shelves and determine what to book to open and read, and the user must browse the internet and determine what content to enjoy. All ISPs must do is maintain the library and keep the doors open to the public. Public librarians are not allowed to collect money from authors for prime placement; doing so would be corruption. I see no way in which allowing ISPs to collect money from content providers isn't the exact same corruption. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC Net Neutrality rules effectively safeguard the open Internet as an engine of innovation and investment and as a global platform for free expression. Please keep the Internet as is for all to express themselves equally. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is extremely important to me. Open access to the internet helps ensure that everyone still has equal access to the important resources available digitally. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let anyone censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Ariel Cummins | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm writing to urge preservation of the Open Internet rules (a/k/a "net neutrality"). I am an academic law librarian, a profession demanding reliable access to information over the internet. Shortsighted deregulation in this area will inevitably turn the information marketplace into the Wild West, where internet users roll the dice every time they use a website or stream video or download a file, in the slim hope that their ISP hasn't adopted an adversarial stance to the content provider and throttled access to essential information. Need health insurance information? Well, if your insurer's fiercest competitor has paid off your ISP, don't expect it quickly. Need to do legal research? If you're on Westlaw, prepare for some long access times if LexisNexis has met Comcast's price. This has the potential to reach not just my profession, but yours as well. In effect, deregulation will make both of our jobs vastly more difficult and leave the American public at the mercy of the major telecom companies. As dependent as we are on reliable internet service, this has the potential to be a disaster of biblical proportions. I urge you to reconsider rolling back the Open Internet rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a librarian one of my largest concerns is access to information; | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Everyone deserves equal, non-ISP regulated access to information, regardless of what type of information they are seeking. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| It sounds overwrought but the future literally depends on it. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Sarah Koncos | |
| ---------- | |
| As a former librarian I know how crucial quick easy access to the Internet is to maintaining a strong democracy. It is imperative to keep net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a librarian. I use the internet daily. The internet enables people to connect, do research, and learn. It needs to be treated as a utility, not something else companies use against people to make a profit. Please do not allow companies to form their own rules and regulations about the content or speed of what people can access. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Bethany Hager | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm writing to express my disapproval that the FCC is trying to kill net neutrality and the strong Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. Preserving an open internet is crucial for fair and equal access to the resources and information available on it. | |
| As a librarian, my entire career is about making sure that citizens have fair and equal access to information, so this issue is very important to me. | |
| This is a country that depends on having informed voters and citizens, not only for governance, but for driving innovation forward. Killing net neutrality would make it clear that the FCC values commerce over its citizens. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I'm a librarian and it is crucial both to my livelihood and to the education I provide to our patrons. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| Net Neutrality is vital to equal and equitable access to digital information for all Americans. Intellectual freedom is a value we hold dear in this country, and I urge the FCC to continue to support net neutrality. As a librarian, I personally know people who come to libraries to access digital content in the pursuit of their right to free speech and intellectual expression. Please uphold net neutrality! | |
| ---------- | |
| We MUST maintain a strong net neutrality under Title II and not cave to special interest pressure from Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. Speaking as a librarian, we must guarantee equality of access for all, regardless of ability to pay | |
| ---------- | |
| Until I retired last year, I was a public librarian for over 30 years. I've seen firsthand how much the changes in technology in the past 15 years especially have affected the general public's use of and need for the Internet. It has become much more than a curiosity or simply entertainment, but instead is now a necessity for nearly every American. As a librarian, I saw patrons of all ages NEEDING to use the Internet for education, to file taxes, to communicate with friends and loved ones, to print out airline boarding passes, to complete online job applications, and much, much more. Net neutrality is essential to maintain the free flow of information without profit motivation overriding the public's right to know. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I see the effects of the so called "digital divide" every day. The gap between individuals with and without connections to the internet is wide enough already before adding the inequalities that getting rid of net neutrality would create. In addition, nonprofit organizations like mine nonprofits could be forced to pay more to avoid being stuck in the "slow lane" of the Internet. This is not in the intended spirit of the Internet. It is not in the interests of nonprofits. It is not in the interests of the communities we serve. We need to hear from all voices equally, and not give preference to corporations who have the money to pay for preference, or who can decide who deserves fast internet and who does not. | |
| I am in favor of net neutrality and strongly urge you to keep it in place. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a librarian; everyday I see the profound impact internet access has on my students. Please don't allow easy fast internet access to become the sole province of the rich. Pleas dont enclose the internet; let it remain free. | |
| Thank you, | |
| Johannah White. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because as a librarian, I am acutely aware of the crucial role access plays in a person or business' ability to be successful. The internet has been a boon to creativity, innovation, and free dialogue because it is a level playing field in terms of users' ability to put forth ideas and content, as well as consume that content. Giving ISP providers control over who can access what will hamstring all but the richest users, be they persons or organizations, from having access to the full breadth of human knowledge and interaction. It will hurt our ability to maintain a free society and our ability to grow as entrepreneurs, as creators, as students and as people. Implementing these policies is to invite stagnation to take the place of innovation, as providers would work to maintain arrangements that benefits them rather than users. It will harm not just each of us as individuals, but the health and growth of our country as a whole. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The internet is a great democratizer of information. It allows people regardless of background or wealth to access the vast breadth of human knowledge, to learn and create and grow. It also allows people to make human connections across vast distances which would otherwise not be possible. To cut that off for the sake of putting more money in the pockets of corporations would be to further stratify our society, prevent true and natural competition between new businesses, and further isolate individuals. Our social compact works best when our nation allows everyone the chance to reach their full potential. Certainly we aren't yet at that place as a society, but we can make the choice not to become worse at it. We can choose to care about all our citizens and our collective future. We can choose to maintain a neutral internet. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian, and we use the internet to find resources and information for our patrons all day long. It's important that information is free and that net neutrality protects our research tools. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I would like to express my emphatic support for net neutrality and express my opposition to reversing the existing net neutrality rules. As a librarian, I provide access to digital resources to a diverse group of patrons. These digital resources help our patrons become better, stronger, more knowledgeable citizens. I also manage a digital archive of materials produced by my institution, a resource that could certainly be negatively impacted by the net neutrality rules repeal. | |
| As a private citizen, I believe that no one should control my access to information; as a librarian, it’s my duty to protect the rights of my fellow citizens to control their own access to information. ISPs should not be able to charge more for access to information, nor should they be able to control what citizens see or how easily they are able to access it. Please make sure the power to control access to information remains in the hands of citizens, not ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level play ing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a professional librarian. Free access to a neutral internet is essential for both staff and patrons in libraries, and privacy of library patrons is an essential right whether when using printed books or surfing the web. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As more and more services move online, the need for a free and open internet seems to me to be increasingly obvious. As a librarian, I already find it difficult enough to help patrons locate free and reliable information legally online. The imposition of further restrictions will only exacerbate the problem of low-quality information consumption. This move will only empower ISPs, and will only negligibly harm the largest companies. It will, however, stunt new growth online and harm the consumer. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As an academic librarian, I dedicate my time to helping undergraduate and graduate students learn to be savvy information consumers and creators. The Internet is an essential source of information that must remain open to all citizens, and access to information should not be manipulated by companies that can pay the highest price. Net neutrality is essential for ensuring that American's have a level playing field in accessing the information they need, not what corporations tell them they need. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian and I am a strong advocate for intellectual freedom. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian I support strong Net Neutrality backed by title 2 oversight of ISPs. Without strong oversight it could potentially lead to makeing my job of bringing information to people harder. | |
| I am a strong advocate for intellectual freedom, which is the “right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.” Intellectual freedom is critical to our democracy, because we rely on people’s ability to inform themselves. The Internet connects people of diverse geographical, political, or ideological origins, greatly enhancing everyone’s ability to share and to inform both themselves and others. | |
| ---------- | |
| Internet access should be kept open and neutral as it is clearly a public service. Anything else would be like walking into a public library and getting handed the book the librarian wants you to read. Also, considering the rampant problems with fake news and disinformation, it is critical for our democracy to have access to ALL information equally. Thank you. -Dana | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, so much of the work I do is about getting people access to the information they need, and the internet is a vital tool in that. Allowing ISP's to monitor and slow or deny access to certain sites is an extremely harmful form of censorship, and will not only be bad for the millions of people in America who use the internet every day, but also bad for small businesses who cannot afford to pay to put their websites in the "Fast Lane" of the internet. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am writing today to urge you to preserve net neutrality. As an academic librarian I see the power of a wide range of information freely available to all people. I can see the profits to be made by selling faster access and know the attraction of censoring views we don't agree with but you need to keep in mind the intent of the originators of the Constitution and let the citizens decide based on all available information. You have the power to protect our democracy at this time. Please step up and do it. | |
| ---------- | |
| I first wrote to the FCC about Net Neutrality in 2014, and it's very saddening to have to keep fighting this fight for an obvious public good. Here's what I wrote back in 2014, and little has changed: | |
| I have been a college level educator for over 20 years, and that work has led me to pursue a new career as a digital librarian. I have seen education revolutionized by the way that the internet has removed countless barriers to accessing information. As a result, we are in the midst of an incredible period of learning for young and old, rich and poor, across the globe. I find it devastating to imagine this progress coming to a screeching halt if Net Neutrality is destroyed. It is obvious to me in my role as an educator that internet access should be reclassified as a public utility, like telephone service or access to clean drinking water, so that our government can regulate the industry and take steps to prevent corporate greed from interfering with our intellectual freedom. My entire career has been based on work with non-profit organizations. As an emerging digital librarian, I am in the midst of building digital collections that provide valuable educational materials to anyone on the internet. Such collections, created by non-profits, can’t afford to pay the fast-lane fees internet service providers will charge if net neutrality is ended. No one but greedy internet service providers can possibly think that this is fair. Libraries are both consumers and producers of information, and without regulation will face huge cost increases both as users and as providers. The end of net neutrality would be a devastating blow to our culture and our democracy. | |
| Once again, I will also be sending this letter to my members of Congress to appeal for their help to get the FCC to do the right thing. | |
| Gratefully, | |
| Arden Kirkland | |
| Arden Kirkland | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I depend on the Internet to offer a wide variety of resources and an equal opportunity to access those resources for my patrons and for students. The loss of Net Neutrality would greatly hamper my ability to serve my patrons and community. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a librarian concerned about access for my patrons. Please maintain the net neutrality rules--for the good of everyone. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I am totally opposed to providing internet access for a fee. As a citizen of a free country, I'm opposed to it, as well. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. As a high school librarian, I also know how important these protections are to protecting equal access to information for all students. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Lisa Cheby | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy protections we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, library patrons come into our space expecting to be able to use all our resources for free, especially the internet. If you cancel net neutrality, many undeserved community members will have even less access to these resources and you will broaden the digital divide. Educating the public is much more important that pushing any sort of agenda. I really hope you can see that. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As an undergraduate student, I use the internet for work, school, and entertainment; as a future librarian the idea of information access is vitally important to me. Without net neutrality, my ability to connect with people, find jobs and resources, and connect with smaller businesses/artists will be severely limited. The information most readily available will be skewed in favor of who pays well. Not only will my personal life take a blow, the ideals I hold to will start to fall apart. We need a searchable and diverse internet. We need to value our citizens enough not to bar them from vast areas of the internet. We need net neutrality. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As an academic librarian, information access is something we are constantly discussing on a scholarly level AND trying to teach to students as they learn to be critical consumers of information. Despite how "easy" the internet seems to make information access, there is still a lot we need to work on toward bridging the digital divide. I highly recommend reaching out and holding a conversation with a group of librarians to discuss our thoughts on net neutrality. However if you cannot do that, this information from the American Library Association does a decent job of summarizing why Net Neutrality is important for insuring a diversity of voices online: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/telecom/netneutrality. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am strongly in favor of net neutrality and an open internet and against any attempts limit an individual's ability to choose his or her own internet content. I am a high school librarian and I strongly believe any regulation which limits or restricts net neutrality will have a negative effect on individuals and schools while benefiting service providers. | |
| ---------- | |
| Access to broadband is essential to all Americans and I want to ensure that Net Neutrality continues, and that broadband is regulated under Title II. Net Neutrality is essential for protecting free speech, organizing, business and innovation. | |
| ---------- | |
| I worked at a public library, and the librarians and I were benefiting from the wealth of information (from universities mostly) even before the advent of the paradigm-shifting GUI Mosaic web client with HTML. The internet exploded from being a rather obscure tool to the most amazing place for people of all kinds to share information and their expertise. | |
| Aside from people naturally wanting to share and help, the exponential growth of generosity and knowledge is a result of how relatively easily accessible the internet has been for a great portion of the world's people. | |
| To have any kind of restriction of access to the internet would be the most tragic devastation ever know to mankind. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an educator and a librarian, I believe that net neutrality is a fundamental right of people all across the globe. It allows everyone the opportunity to learn, to discover truths that may be censored for them, and to engage in a free society. Changing net neutrality rules is short-sighted and makes a mockery of decades of collaborative engagement by the online providers. I urge you not to change these rules but to support net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am an American citizen, an avid consumer who does most of my shopping online and a public school teacher & librarian. In all my roles, net neutrality is absolutely essential. Please protect the interests of the American people in this and not those of the large corporations who want to make even more money. Keep net neutrality!! | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| The Internet is increasingly relied upon for research, work-related tasks, social sharing, and more. I use it every day in my work as a librarian, and ensuring that everyone has equal access to the same Internet, regardless of what they can afford, is essential in bridging the digital divide. It is the mark of a dictatorial government (especially when private companies are used as proxies) to control who has access to what Internet content and at which speeds. A move like this stifles innovation, and widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Corporations already have way more power than ordinary citizens. This will only exacerbate this. As a voter, a worker, and a librarian I implore you to keep net neutrality. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Leora Troper | |
| ---------- | |
| I am absolutely shocked to hear about the efforts to repeal the laws protecting net neutrality. As a librarian, I strongly believe in equal access to information and in our right to personal privacy. Please don't put the power to exploit these values into the hands of corporations or the richest of the rich. It isn't theirs to dictate. | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules are essential to protecting our individual equality, education, and access to information. Please don't ruin the web. | |
| In addition to making it possible for ISPs to sell "fast lanes" to big corporations and "slow lanes" to the rest of us, repealing these laws would make it possible for the major ISPs to censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Caroline Fraley | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because I believe that the internet should be an open platform where money doesn't mean privilege. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I work with members of the public every day who are far from savvy with technology but who are required to use the internet for job applications, their children's homework assignments, and countless federal, state, and county forms. In today's world, the internet is no less than a necessity. As such, it deserves protection from private corporations who seek to use it for their own financial gain at the expense of the American people-- the people it is your job to serve. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am very concerned about reversing current net neutrality rulings. As a retired librarian, I value free and open access to al information on the Internet. By reversing this ruling, many American citizens will lose access to internet sites that require additional fees or become less visible due to agreements between content providers. Americans value competition, innovation, free speech and expression of all points of view. Please reconsider ending net neutrality which stands for all of these values. Thank you. | |
| ---------- | |
| Libraries and patrons need an open internet with secure privacy. | |
| I have been a university librarian for 20 years and for 16 years an online reference librarian for the U.S.-based largest such worldwide service, serving public library patrons and college students worldwide, and I know that students and people of all ages and needs depend on and need open, free and unimpeded access to useful and necessary knowledge and information. | |
| Anything that impedes such access makes us and our country poorer and stunts all kinds of growth and development, economic and intellectual. Internet 'slow lanes' and restricted access to all content would make it impossible for ordinary people to access useful and necessary knowledge and information. Telecom monopolies impede such access and make us and our country and the world poorer. | |
| Sincerely, | |
| Jonathan Boyne | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. As a librarian, I understand to an exceptional degree the importance of indiscriminate information resources and services to a society, a community, to the world. I purchase Internet access because I've been a curious learner my whole life, and I need it immediately available to me in order to fulfill my curiosity and also my work at a high level. The Internet is a gateway to not only answers and resources that we seek but also to each other. A neutral Internet is paramount to the preservation as well as growth of any society and civilization. Restricting these freedoms would be an action comparable to the censorship by dictatorial regimes, but in this case it is being undertaken by ISPs. This is not American. The FCC should be concerned with protecting American citizens from this gross treatment. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| ---------- | |
| In my 42-year career as a medical librarian I lived the information revolution made possible by the internet. The benefit to doctors and patients has been incalculable. Now retired I still rely on my internet service for access to information, news, and entertainment every day. In my view, it is a telecommunications service, not an information service. It's the conduit through which I access information services and content, and through which I keep in touch with family and friends all over. Most important, I believe the internet is essential to the free exchange of information and is potentially the greatest guarantee of equal opportunity for all citizens ever developed. Taking that away would be a tragedy. Also, my wife recently closed her small retail operation. Eliminating net neutrality would greatly disadvantage small businesses like hers that would likely be unable to afford faster internet that's as crucial to their operations as to large corporations. Please preserve net neutrality. | |
| ---------- | |
| Hello, | |
| Don't kill net neutrality. Risking a metaphor comparing the internet to a library, it would be horrible and ridiculous if certain books or websites were to be restricted based upon personal interest of the librarian. The user should determine what information they access based upon their needs/interests, not the providers. Please don't kill net neutrality, keep Title II rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am counting on the FCC to safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| I ask you to reject FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and so recently won in 2014. | |
| I believe that a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites will result in users having fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. And it is CENSORSHIP! | |
| Censorship is wrong. The internet needs to remain as is under Title II. Everyone should have the same access to all of the internet without ISP control, interference, monetizing, and silencing of voices. As a librarian, a former CPA to small businesses, as a woman, as a minority, I oppose FCC Chairman Pai's proposal. I support net neutrality now even more than I did in 2014. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| Maintaining net neutrality is critical to the share and flow of information. Imagine a library where certain authors are given precedence over others simply because they donated to the library. People may want to read the books of the unpaying authors, but there just isn't enough copies of the book. So people will read what is available and soon after the nonpaying authors will slip from memory and be shuffled out of the library as more of the paying authors stories occupy the library until finally all there is books that were hand selected. Curated by how much the author was willing to bribe the librarian. | |
| Is this conducive to the flow of information? Is this right? What will the authors do that don't have money to pay off the librarian? | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, I believe that everyone deserves equal access to information no matter what, and the Internet is a significant way to spread information. By removing net neutrality, you limit what people can access and prevent the Internet from being what it should be. The Internet is a great leveller, and it should be kept free. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I stand for freedom of Internet access and Internet privacy for everyone. ISPs and corporations should not be gatekeepers, monitors or censors. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I view Net Neutrality as an important safeguard of the accessibility and openness of the internet. The internet should be an open forum where information is generally and freely accessible that is not manipulated by its gatekeepers to promote certain content and demote other content according to the whims of the super elite. While not perfect, Net Neutrality regulations are better than the alternative of handing over the immense power of digital information entirely to corporate interests and profit driven motives. To some degree the internet is kind of like a library, and it would be scary if the librarian had the power to hide certain books and promote other books depending on the librarian's personal agenda. Thank you for helping to keep a neutral internet. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs would control what i can consume and how. This will restrict me on what i can consume. Is like having a library that wont lend some books due to librarian censorship. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The internet my common message and information carrier for my communication and that of others to me. It is my window into the world around me what I can see and I can not see. It is essential to have unfettered access without restrictions or censorship. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a school librarian, I use the internet to connect with other teachers/librarians around the country and the world. I also use the internet to find educational resources that help my staff deliver the best instruction possible to our students. By allowing certain companies to decide what we, the people, have fast and free access to on the Internet, the FCC will effectively hinder the flow of ideas and begin to dismantle the democratic rights and freedoms that previous generations and our forefathers fought to protect. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As an archivist and librarian, I strongly believe in freedom of access. People in a free state should have as much ability as possible to access knowledge and if not knowledge, at least information. Also, the internet was built on the idea of information freedom, which means that ISPs should not have the power to restrict at all, let alone in such potentially harmful ways. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I use the internet daily in my job as a public librarian providing free and open access to information for every seeker who walks in our door. As a citizen who firmly believes in freedom of access to information, I can't abide the restrictions on access to the internet that jettisoning net neutrality would bring about. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian, net neutrality is fundamental to the work that I do every day. Access to information is one of the key services that we provide in the library and it is imperative that all sources have an equal opportunity for discovery. Please keep the internet free and open so that we can continue effectively teaching our users to discover, evaluate, and create information. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| As a librarian and a free American, I feel VERY strongly about this. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Iona Minshew | |
| ---------- | |
| We need to keep net neutrality and keep it under title 2. As a librarian, it's my mission to provide free and equal access to people. Net neutrality ensures that I can do that. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I strive to provide access to ALL kinds of information and diverse opinions. The Internet allows the exchange of ideas among users across the globe. This discourse, projected by net neutrality, is vital to democracy and civil society. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As an elementary school librarian, it's important that the internet be accessible and affordable. Eliminating net-neutrality could give ISPs the ability to limit needed information and resources to individuals. Policing the internet in this matter is a slippery slope. We will be allowing big ISPs to decide what information and services are available and accessible to individuals; this is censorship! People need access to all information/websites/resources on the internet--not whatever ISPs believe that we should be able to access. In giving them the power to slow-down certain websites and resources, we are allowing them to censor everything else. In America, we believe in free-speech, and limiting monopolies; eliminating net-neutrality openly defies these principles. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I use the internet a lot in my personal time and in my professional job. As a librarian, I need stable internet access to retrieve articles, books, and other resources for the patrons who need my help. I cannot do my job if the connection is slow, or if a once-trusted website has a conflict of interests. | |
| In my private time, I like to make art, which I share online with other amateur artists. This sense of creation and community could easily be destroyed if the internet was slow. | |
| There's no point to an internet that isn't freely accessible to all. Internet access should not only be available to a privileged few. It needs to be accessible for everyone. Careers, information, hobbies...those are only a few examples of what American Society uses the internet for. Those are only a few things that are worth defending for everyone. | |
| Caitlin | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, access to information is a right for all people. By allowing corporations to determine what the people can access violates our civil rights. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian and work in higher ed. The resources we depend upon will be impacted if we don't protect Net Neutrality. Please don't listen to those whose only motive is profit. We deserve a fair and balanced internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I'm a public librarian and I'm writing to say that I ardently and fervently support Net Neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs. People in my city already have enough barriers between them and online access without adding artificial ones that only benefit companies already making obscene profits. Unhindered and impartial internet access helps small businesses and ordinary people. Restricting the free flow of information is one of the classic signs of a dictatorship. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian. Our ability to provide equitable access to electronic resources depends on equal access to bandwidth. Freedom of information depends on net neutrality and this country depends on an informed citizenry to make informed decisions. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, the Internet is a vital resource that patrons use in order to get the information they need, whether it's applying for government aid, finding out what's available in their city, or even keeping up with friends and loved ones who live far away. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| Privacy of information is one of the essential rights that America was founded upon. It cannot be denied in this age that our freedom as citizens of this country extends beyond physical borders and exists on the Internet. Allowing private companies to filter information, regardless of that company's intent, is a gross violation of everyone's ability to access this free and open environment. As a former librarian and believer in the importance of confidentiality and neutrality of government entities on the web, I ask that you continue to provide citizens with an unfiltered Internet. Thank you for your time. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online service more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that not what we want. | |
| As a college librarian, I witness daily the discoveries and freedom with which young people are able to explore online - it is not a free market principle to constrict where Internet users want and need to go to access the world of information that awaits them. By eliminating this rule, government would allow businesses to call the shots - this is interference in our economy, market, and democracy, which is supposed to allow ALL equal access to information. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a public librarian and providing information to everyone, regardless of income or anything else is extremely important to me. It is ridiculous to consider allowing a few large companies to control who has access to what due to the amount of money they pay. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a future librarian, an open internet is extremely important to me. Many public libraries are already underfunded, and yet they remain committed to the mission of providing free, unbiased information to all citizens. Forcing private individuals and public institutions to pay for whole, unbiased information will effectively prevent public libraries in poor communities from properly serving the people who rely on them. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| An open internet is essential for education, economic growth, and free speech. | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access protections we fought for and just recently won. | |
| As a librarian, I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The internet enables me to connect with family and friends, keep safe, and access information. I can't afford to pay a premium for unthrottled access. Trashing net neutrality would be a disaster for every single internet user except ISPs. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a public librarian, I see the use of Internet daily. It is the way citizens access of commerce, education, politics, entertainment and government. | |
| As stated above the proposed repeal will severly limit access to information and freedom of expression. These are core tenents of our American Democracy. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I believe in open and equal access to information. Repealing net neutrality rules would harm everyone, businesses and private users alike, but in particular it would open the door to severely hindering or even blocking users' and institutions' ability to access online information and resources based solely on their bottom line. | |
| I personally attended my master's program through an online distance program, as on campus programs were not available where I lived and worked. I would not have been able to achieve the education I have today without access to an open and neutral Internet. | |
| I urge you to keep net neutrality protections in place. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian. I spend my days helping people who can't afford internet access to use it. They can not even apply for jobs at McDonalds without internet access. If we want our citizens to become more self-supporting, they need to have free and open access to the internet. Putting the ability to limit access based on finances limits opportunities and intellectual freedom. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| Keeping the internet open and free from data discrimination, and protecting the privacy of all Americans are very important in my line of work. I am a technology services librarian. I see people in my public library every day who often cannot afford to have internet at home. I would hate to see the internet access we provide become hampered because of our network provider. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I am invested in access to information. The internet is vital to my job, and a necessary tool for students, instructors, and lifelong learners. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| I am a future librarian, limiting access to information will only stipple and staunch the growth of the future of America--our students in school and college at this very moment who rely on the technology that we have advanced, even to the point of putting it in their pockets. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Paige Dhyne | |
| ---------- | |
| As I librarian, I will cite the ALA: The American Library Association is a strong advocate for intellectual freedom, which is the “right of all peoples to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.” Intellectual freedom is critical to our democracy, because we rely on people’s ability to inform themselves. The Internet connects people of diverse geographical, political, or ideological origins, greatly enhancing everyone’s ability to share and to inform both themselves and others. | |
| Our libraries’ longstanding commitment to freedom of expression in the realm of content is well-known; in the context of the net neutrality debate, however, we believe it is equally important to stress that the freedom of libraries and librarians to provide innovative new kinds of information services will be central to the growth and development of our democratic culture. A world in which librarians and other noncommercial enterprises are of necessity limited to the Internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment seems to us to be overlooking a central priority for a democratic society – the necessity of enabling educators, librarians, and, in fact, all citizens to inform themselves and each other just as much as the major commercial and media interests can inform them. | |
| The ability of the Internet to spread and share ideas is only getting better. With modern technology, individuals and small groups can produce rich audio and video resources that used to be the exclusive domain of large companies. We must work to ensure that these resources are not relegated to second-class delivery on the Internet—or else the intellectual freedoms fostered by the Internet will be constrained. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are extremely important to me. As a librarian and concerned citizen, I urge you to protect them so that we can ensure that access to information is not restricted by entities with the most money. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. | |
| Now is not the time to let giant ISPs censor what we see and do online. | |
| Censorship by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small. | |
| Courts have made clear that if the FCC ends Title II classification, the FCC must let ISPs offer "fast lanes" to websites for a fee. | |
| Chairman Pai has made clear that he intends to do exactly this. | |
| But if some companies can pay our ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can't pay those fees won't be able to compete. You will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created the 5 most valuable companies in America-just to further enrich a few much less valuable cable giants famous for sky-high prices and abysmal customer service. | |
| Internet providers will be able to impose a private tax on every sector of the American economy. | |
| Moreover, under Chairman Pai's plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don't like. They'll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can't pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| I'm sending this to the FCC's open proceeding, but I worry that Chairman Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has made his plans and will ignore me and millions of other Americans. | |
| So I'm also sending this to my members of Congress. Please publicly support the FCC's existing net neutrality rules based on Title II, and denounce Chairman Pai's plans. Do whatever you can to dissuade him. | |
| Thank you! | |
| Matthew Testa | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian. I believe in multiple viewpoints and I do not believe in censoring those beliefs that are less popular than others. A less diverse internet means a dumbed down population. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I am a stronger believer in equal access for all. The proposed changes to FCC rules would allow fast lanes for sites that pay, and force everyone else into slow lanes. We’ve already seen access to streaming services like Netflix, popular games, and communication platforms slowed down, or even blocked. Conditions like this hurt businesses large and small, and penalize the users who patronize them. | |
| The changes also open the door to unfair taxes on internet users, and could also make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can’t pay up to have their voices heard. | |
| Please leave the existing net neutrality rules based on Title II in place. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a retired librarian living on a fixed income and I depend on the internet for accurate and timely consumer information as well as the opportunity to keep learning. Keep the Title II rules in place. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access rules we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I am well aware of the importance of an equal and robust internet for students and for our community. Allow companies to throttle customers or sites will negatively impact the ability of scholars and students to research and to learn. Community members wlll be less able the services they rely on every day - from emergency information, to local news and government services. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian and records manager, having equal access to information is extremely important. The internet is where the vast majority of modern information resides and killing net neutrality will limit who has access to information, whether through monetary or infrastructure means. Many rural areas only have access to one ISP and are beholden to them. And even though I'm in an urban area I have only get the choice between two ISPs, when i know there are many more in the area. | |
| I also use the internet to regularly keep in contact with friends and family across multiple states and time zones. We very often play games online and throttling the internet could ruin that experience and our social time. I heavily rely on the internet for entertainment and socialization. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian, and I firmly believe in equal access to all information for all people. Destroying net neutrality is a huge step away from providing people with the universal information access the internet can help provide. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian in a state college. Many of my college's library and research resources are only available through databases and other online sources. Many of our students take online classes, as well. Slowing down or limiting internet resources will be extremely detrimental to student's education. Please do not take away net neutrality. It is vitally important to make the internet accessible to all. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am an academic librarian at a university in the Appalachian region of Tennessee. Stripping internet users of access and privacy safeguards by gutting net neutrality rules would be detrimental to the learning management systems we use to educate our students. As a librarian, I am also concerned about the increasing digital divide. This country's democracy depends upon free and open public discourse, which is guaranteed when we prevent corporations from limiting our rights to access information and maintain personal privacy. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am an academic librarian at a university in the Appalachian region of Tennessee. Stripping internet users of access and privacy safeguards by gutting net neutrality rules would be detrimental to the learning management systems we use to educate our students. As a librarian, I am also concerned about the increasing digital divide. This country's democracy depends upon free and open public discourse, which is guaranteed when we prevent corporations from limiting our rights to access information and maintain personal privacy. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian and I know how much people rely on accurate information. I will fight against censorship as a professional duty and a personal belief. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As an archivist, I rely on the Internet to connect me with information that helps me assist patrons (of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc.) as they search for information on a wide variety of topics. A slower, more expensive Internet will hinder the work I and my librarian colleagues do every single day. Sites that I frequently rely on could become prohibitively slow at the speeds that are available to my lower income patrons. My job is to make information available, and everyone deserve equal access to information on the Internet! | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian, and free and unbiased access to the internet is very important for everyone. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| The internet matters to me because it provides resources for everyone who has access to it. As a former librarian I've seen these resources be used for so much good and the world is a better place for it. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a public librarian. Many of my patrons rely on low-cost internet or free internet provided by the library to find jobs, contact their families, and navigate an increasingly online-centered world. They depend upon the telecommunication services provided by a free and open internet. The FCC must defend the equality and privacy of internet users, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of monopolizing ISPs. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access protections we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I see many patrons who do not have technology at home and must use the library's computers and databases. Information should be free and easily accessible. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I use it to connect to communities, express myself, get and share information. I am an educator and a librarian and the internet doesn't just matter to me but to my livelihood and my patrons' lives. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I work as a librarian; that means I'm vastly underpaid for my education level and experience compared to the for-profit sector. The internet is a way for me to access entertainment options that I might not otherwise be able to afford on my limited budget. I want to be able to access the sites I want without worrying about if they've paid my ISP for fair access. And as a small business owner with a small website, I want my customers to be able to access my site just as easily as they can visit a big retailer. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because Because the Internet shouldn't have a slow lane. Because ISPs shouldn't have VIPS. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| Intellectual freedom and free expression are as fundamental to the Internet as the First Amendment is to American democracy. These also are the core values of America’s public, K-12 school, higher education and all libraries. Commercial ISPs should not be enabled to serve as gatekeepers for the information people may freely access online. In addition, equitable access to information online depends on the open internet. Prioritized access to some content over others is antithetical to librarian and democratic values. It also runs counter to the innovative and “permissionless” nature of the internet that enables creators to reach global audiences by the quality of their offerings rather than the size of their wallet. Finally, it is important to foster and share a diversity of voices, ideas and experiences. Only Net Neutrality assures that our democratic values remain intact. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy protections we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block our ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian I know that the Internet is a place where everyone's voice can be heard equally and it needs to stay that way to ensure that anyone with an Internet connection has access to the same information, not just what they can pay for. In order to have a functioning democracy, all people in that democracy should have access to the same information. The Internet may not be available in every American's home, but just about every American does have access to it in some way, making it the greatest tool for creating an informed electorate. However without fair net neutrality laws such as those established under Title II, there is absolutely no guarantee nor any reason to believe that ISPs will continue to abide by those laws and keep the Internet an equal playing ground. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy protections we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| The Internet my me is a place to seek information, share & assist others, allowing them to gather and share relevant information in a logical way. If it reminds you of a library it should as I am a librarian and a 25+ year user of the Internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because I want my ISP to be just that a provider of services. I do not pay my provider to decide which sites I can access or or how much time I can spend on them. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I use the Internet daily to access news information and communicate. I do not want my options limited by my ISP. As a former librarian, I saw that people without personal computers or other devices would have been limited in terms of skills, employment, and communication without net neutrality and public library resources. Lives were changed! | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital access and privacy rules we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow consumers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a former librarian and a parent, I know how incredibly important free access to information is to us and the generations to come. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian I use it constantly to offer everyone the information they need to do things as diverse as entertain themselves, find advice on family issues, get a job, find their ancestors, learn about government, pay taxes and make a better life for themselves. Without that diversity I can't use this amazing resource in the way it was intended: it will become a barrier to growth and opportunity rather than a tool to achieve those same ends. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block our access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian who believes in providing free and open services to my patrons. People use our libraries for research, entertainment, to find jobs and take online classes. With caps or limits on internet, we will not be able to provide great services for all as we will likely not be able to afford the prices companies would wish to force upon us. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow our ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| The internet matters to me because I'm a librarian, and I rely on the open internet to help people find the information they need. Whether that's tax forms, contact information for a doctor, or the resources they need to apply for a job, I don't want ISPs deciding what the public sees online. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow our access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a future librarian, equal access for all people to the internet is vital for me. Access to information and educational material that is available across the internet is so important to our future. Allowing people to have freee access to these resources is so important. I want to be able to help my library patrons find and access the information and educational materials that are available, to help them succeed despite their personal and economic situation. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy protections we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block Internet users’ access to certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a public reference librarian, free and open access to information is a high priority for me and my library patrons. Restricting the ability to freely explore and learn is a hindrance not only for these users, but for society at large. Having access to the Internet and all its many wonders and curiosities is already limited in some locations and particular demographics by the digital divide, where people are economically disadvantaged. Putting further restrictions on information, and giving priority access to higher paying bidders, unfortunately further limits the ability for all to seek answers and learn freely and is ultimately unrepresentative of a free and diverse global society. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian. That might not mean much to most people who think librarians sit behind a desk and check out books, but that's not what we do. Librarians help people discover, interpret, sift through, analyze, decipher, evaluate, and consume all types of information. The loss of net neutrality will limit the information people need for everyday necessities and hinder the free flow of information. Maybe that's what some people want; an uniformed citizenry can be led by powerful people into following without questioning motive or consequences. Abandoning net neutrality will mean limiting the information consumed by the general public. It will provide the means for internet providers to have control over normal internet activity by slowing down access or closing access to certain sites. A truly neutral internet means a free and open system where every user is treated the same. Americans deserve to retain unhindered access to the internet. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access protections we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because the ability of ISPs to privilege certain sites and services over others could directly endanger the public's proper exercise of their right to vote. For our system to work, the citizenry need to understand the issues behind the people whom they are electing and the many, many propositions they are expected to vote for. With a tiered Internet, how easy would it be for an ISP with a bone to grind to shove anything that doesn't agree with their agenda into the slow lane? People might not even notice the difference, just that all their sources say yes and nothing says no. Therefore, an uninformed public is a direct danger to the very foundations of our democratic system. | |
| Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian who has served in one status or another at Marine Corps libraries for the past eight years. While I do not pretend to speak for my employer, my tenure in these libraries has given me a particular perspective on the importance of net neutrality both to the communities I serve and the people like me who serve them. As such, and to avoid an overly wordy communication, I will confine my arguments to those that have been directly relevant to my employment, workplace and patrons. | |
| My adventures with security on patron-accessible computers have given me a greater appreciation for what a tiered Internet might look like. I've seen networks where the keyword-based security was so tight that one of my retired patrons could not order a sextant on EBay, and I could not locate prices for printer filament because of a part of the US-based vendor's URL. We have had the ability to click through links on major news sites seemingly arbitrarily removed and reestablished; at the moment, there are computers at my base that cannot access email or cloud storage. These were inconvenient enough that at one point, one particular NCO wrote a letter to our district representative protesting our internet security. Now, imagine that instead of reasonable concerns about retaining federal funding or preventing malware attacks on our networks, equally arbitrary restrictions can occur simply because it would be to a particular ISP's benefit - or to the detriment of one of their rivals. Is this really something we want? | |
| More, the Internet has been of inestimable value to my patrons. On any given day, the labs at my first library would see a young military dependent making contact with a deployed family member; a sergeant major in the research phase of her graduate thesis; a disabled retiree looking for clarification on the extent and the accessibility of his benefits; a service member preparing for transition to the civilian workforce and applying for work/looking into educational opportunities/applying for financial aid, or more often all of the above. On one base, there was a large population of young Marines, mostly lance corporals and below, in medical limbo due to boot camp accidents; with off-base leave a rare occurrence (or, for those whose accidents prevented them from completing boot camp but did not immediately end their military careers, literally not permitted), the Internet was as often as not their primary lifeline to the outside world. Please. Do not make the lives of my Marines (or sailors, or Coasties, or their families) any more difficult than they already are. | |
| Last, without the Internet, I myself would never have moved from library technician at one library to librarian at another. My original base library was chronically understaffed, to the point where adjusting schedules or taking leave was nigh on impossible (and, in fact, personnel issues required me to miss my own commencement ceremony); had I not been able to receive my degree completely through online classes, I would never have qualified for any position with "Librarian" in the title. The classes were heavy on interaction, on video-based materials, on materials hosted on the school site or linked elsewhere; imagine attempting to complete such a degree if the ISP suddenly decided that they were, say, going to attempt to extort further money out of the university by kicking their priority down a tier or three. Either the degree edges toward impossibility, or the (public funded) university needs to move its taxpayer dollars from providing its students with resources to making sure its students can actually make use of their classes to begin with. Given the proportion of jobs in this day and age for which degrees are a requirement, this is something we need to avoid. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian I value both freedom of speech and equal access to information. I kindly remind the FCC that they work the American people, not which ever corporate interests their current head used to represent. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow our ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| Free and open communication and consumption of information are fundamental to our democracy and open society. It would be a disgrace to compromise these principles for corporate interests. These are core professional values to me, as an academic librarian. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I believe that access to and discovery of information should be made as simple as possible, for everyone. Ethically, choosing to scale back net neutrality protections under TItle II is questionable at best. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access protections we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because as more aspects of work and private life move online, unbiased access to Internet resources will be increasingly important. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a public librarian, I know that freedom and access to information is of paramount importance. It can and does change lives. So many necessary tasks, too, from getting a job to paying taxes, now require Internet access and skills. Many Americans already struggle to afford the equipment necessary to access the Internet. We see them every day, and we do what we can for them--but realistically, a public library can only provide access for a small percentage of those without other means. A pay-to-play Internet will only exacerbate the disparages between the technological haves and have nots. That is not the spirit of America. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because it will cripple the entrepreneurial opportunities available to citizens and further fuel the economic disparities in our country today. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian, I see everyday the ways the internet serves low and middle income families. The individuals I help each day use the internet to apply to jobs, enroll in online education courses, participate in online communities, conduct business research or explore personal subjects of interest. Overturning the Title II net neutrality rules would greatly hamper the opportunities available to these individuals. | |
| On a much broader scale: if America ignores the right to information to its citizens, we will be left in the digital dust by other, more progressive countries. America's greatest strength as always been its capacity for leading change and driving technical progress. Net neutrality is the necessary framework for us to continue this trend. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block our access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian in a community college setting i have seen the power of a free and open internet. Free information and an educated populace are key to democracy and life as we know it. The internet and libraries are one of the last venues in which a citizen can function and interact without needing to be a capitalist consumer. Without options and access to information about those options, there can be no freedom, no democracy. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the meaningful access and privacy rules we fought for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm from a tiny town in the middle of nowhere and in the late 90s I had a super forward-thinking school librarian and middle school teacher who made sure all of us poor kids from these tiny, rural towns knew what the internet was. We were taught that the internet was an amazing resource that would let us research and learn about everything under the sun, a place where we could meet really interesting people (if we were careful!) from all over the world, with all kinds of perspectives and become friends and exchange idea. From day one we learned that the free exchange of information, ideas, and diverse perspectives were a key part of this really cool new technology. We were also taught that it was something for us, kids at or below the poverty line, kids who were from working class families. We might not all have been able to afford dial-up at home, but the libraries all had it and we were absolutely encouraged to make use of that. | |
| The cost for internet access has gone down, so more people are able to access it at home and I'd really like to see that continue. I don't want there to be fast and slow lanes that restrict who can access what, especially with a modern economy that's so dependent on internet access. It's absurd that there's we're even having a debate a about restricting internet access; the debate should be how to be get faster internet everywhere in this country and bring the cost down so everyone can afford it. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity for daily life in 2017. And none of this is even touching on content creators and their ability to create and share their work-that's another thing we shouldn't be debating. This country has a right to free speech and free press and in 2017, unrestricted internet access is absolutely connected to those rights. We need net neutrality, plain and simple. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| This is mostly a form letter I've needed to use, but here is my pure, 100% opinion on the importance of net neutrality: it is NECESSARY. I've grown up in the information age; the only time I was without the internet was when I was very, very young. The free availability of information, uninhibited, is the lifeblood of my generation. It is the modern democracy. It is our future. | |
| However, the vast majority of us live in places where we do not have options regarding service providers. We do not get to vote with our wallets if private businesses, as is so often the case in history, begin to overreach because they are no longer under the proper regulation. | |
| And because the internet is THE source for getting jobs, for connecting with friends and family, for discovering the world, for even finding means of entertainment now—we fight so hard because it's our livelihoods, ongoing education, and happiness that we could stand to lose. | |
| The concept of ISPs of inserting themselves into the process of a user browsing and getting information is, frankly, terrifying—for your average online citizen, it calls to mind a scenario like a librarian threatening to get up in your grill if you try to actually look at a book, charging you an extra fee to even view the nonfiction section (that you might not be able to afford), then looking at your book check-out history to sell your info to ad companies. We pay for access to the pipes. ISPs doing anything beyond providing access creates an extraordinarily violating feeling. It is NO privilege to get selective advertising. It is NO privilege to let them determine what I can and cannot see. The internet has been responsible for making me a better learner, a better citizen—a better person. It is the same for so many. To see it getting opened up to be strangled... it breaks my heart. | |
| But perhaps we would rather talk about businesses, the entrepreneurs that are the American Dream's lifeblood. | |
| If ISPs insert themselves into the space between them and potential customers—something that is already very much a reality with paid fast lanes—startups won't have the means to even DREAM to compete. What fledgling video service can afford the fees that Netflix can pay? What is the next Great Idea that could be squandered because someone wants to interfere with the information flow for their own personal gain? | |
| As a fledgling entrepreneur myself, the idea makes my blood boil. | |
| Title II was hard-fought, hard-won. Those who grew up in the age of information, those who truly understand its worth—the benefits proposed by removing Title II sound like nothing but threats and violations waiting to happen. | |
| Please—protect the pipelines that ensure this country's future. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the vital privacy and access safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a librarian and a teacher. I value and cherish the freedom of independent research the current net rules allow. Freedom of information is valuable and necessary for this democratic republic. Freedom of access is a bedrock for our liberty. The net must stay neutral to ensure our liberty and freedom. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the ISP monopolies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the vital access and privacy rules we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because it would functionally censor out the web content on sites that weren't (let's be real here) paying lots of money to the big ISPs. So far, access to information online has been pretty democratic. Let's keep it that way!. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| As a librarian at both a public library and an academic library, I rely on the internet almost constantly while at work. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because as a librarian, I believe that our library users should have the same access to the sites they choose to visit equally without regard for who can afford to pay more. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I work in a public library where residents use the internet to find information that is diverse and important to them. Allowing companies to limit access to sites could jeopardize our library visitors' ability to become better informed through online learning and communication, or even, simply to be entertained by playing games or watching videos. In our public library, we're trained to treat everyone equally and not offer better treatment to whoever can pay more. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary privacy and access protections we worked for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| It is an important source of information and is available to everyone. As a future librarian access to information is essential. If we lose that freedom it will be detrimental to education. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should stand up for Internet users by safeguarding net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital privacy and access safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because people will lose access to vital services that they otherwise would not have. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block consumers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, the Internet is a vital research tool - it provides access to commercial as well as government and other free resources, allows me to communicate with colleagues across the country and around the world, and so much more. | |
| As a historian, the Internet is a vital research tool - it provides access to libraries and archives, hosts discussion forums, makes it possible to engage with both historians and non-historians, and so much more. | |
| As an individual, the Internet is vital - it allows to connect with friends and family on a daily basis, it not only provides entertainment but also access to resources 24/7, and so much more. | |
| Please do not allow the ISPs to control the Internet. If they do, the Internet will cease to be the vital, vibrant, and neutral place that serves so many around the country and around the world. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian working with the public, allowing freedom of information is of the utmost importance. There should be no fast lanes for certain sites, access of all for all. | |
| -------------------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the ISP monopolies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a librarian, I already find myslef teaching people to filter out paid advertising content to help people get quality, authoritative information. Many times I need to go to the second page of results. I'm a trained information professional. The general public just clicks on the first few links in a Google search. There is already a whole lot of talk about "fake news". Please keep the net neutrality rules in effect so it doesn't get even more difficult to weed it out. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should safeguard Internet freedom by keeping the bright-line net neutrality protections in place and upholding Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I'm a medical librarian. Our physicians and our patients need access to an open web where content delivery is not throttled by ISPs. I am also very aware that we in the US pay more for internet access than most developed countries - and eliminating Net Neutrality could make that even worse, deepening the digital divide. Just don't do it. KEEP Net NEUTRALITY. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As a librarian and member of a small community, I urge you to protect net neutrality. It is vital for all citizens to have equal access. Don't allow big companies to marginalize citizens. | |
| Chris Hughey | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow customers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I'm a librarian at a public university in Texas. We serve students and instructors from diverse backgrounds, communities, and viewpoints. But if current protections are destroyed, I worry about the its affect on students and future citizens. To quote Malkia Cyril, "By repealing net neutrality, the FCC would not only be eliminating the legal backing to free speech online, but would also contribute to the rise of fake news and political disinformation campaigns, hurting our ability to know what information is rooted in facts or malicious fiction. Without rules of the road that prevent discrimination against all Internet traffic, content and voices, the voices that pay the most will get heard, while the rest of us get censored... Our media literacy, our ability to understand and vet the information being presented to us, depends on an Internet that allows all voices to thrive. There are no voiceless people, only people that haven’t been heard yet. The open Internet, protected by Title II net neutrality, is the only legal way to make sure all voices get heard online." | |
| Media literacy is one type of information management, a vital skills students and educators must have and master to continue to learn and innovate. Keeping Title II net neutrality rules will ensure we can continue to fully educate students and help them manage information on their own. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful access and privacy safeguards we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I work as a public librarian, and much of my work depends on information from the Internet, as well as for the patrons I serve. They look for jobs online, get access to social services, use our online subscriptions, etc. Without net neutrality websites could be censored, slowed down, or forced to charge extra fees. My patrons could NOT afford that and neither can I!!! (I'm already paying too much to my local cable company for access at home.) :-( | |
| In my private life I depend on access to the Internet for so many of the things I do, from banking and bill paying, booking travel, keeping in contact with friends and family, shopping, keeping up with the news, accessing public records and generally getting information that serves my needs and wants. | |
| PLEASE keep the Internet open without interference from the ISP monopolies. Thank you. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing Open Internet rules ensure that ISPs can’t block or slow Internet users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian who has worked for non-profit medical institutions for over 30 years. The taxpayers paid for research via DARPA to develop the internet and now control should NOT be given to large corporate ISPs. Everyone needs equal access especially in the coming years as more health monitoring will be accomplished remotely through smart devices. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t block or slow our ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s the right kind of forward-looking approach to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian and net neutrality is incredibly important. A founding ideal of this country is free speech. This began as a simple right to think and speak freely, and as technologies have progressed, we've adapted this concept in laws and customs to ensure equal access to the methods of making information available (e.g. the Fairness Doctrine and equal airtime requirements for political viewpoints enacted during eras when radio and TV channels were scarce commodities) and to protect open/free intellectual inquiry (e.g. libraries do not retain lists of materials checked out by patrons). We have clearly enshrined the ideas that "people have a right to share a variety of viewpoints" and "people have a right to access/read/watch a variety of viewpoints" in our laws, ideals, and customs. | |
| Net Neutrality rules were put into place to ensure these same rights to free and open exploration and expression of ideas are available on the Internet or World Wide Web. Allowing companies -- whose main interest is providing profit to their shareholders-- to control access to information by speeding up/slowing down specific users' internet traffic, traffic to certain sites, or other mechanisms, allows for promotion of one company's viewpoint and ideas above all other individual's ideas and viewpoints. This is contrary to the founding ideas of the United States. You must reject this plan if you believe in free speech. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| We need the FCC to defend the rights of millions of Internet users by upholding net neutrality protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the meaningful privacy and access rules we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules mean that Internet providers can’t block or slow Internet users’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| A free and open internet matters to me because the free sharing of information is what makes a democracy great. As a public librarian-in-training I am tasked with assisting an informed democracy that is comprised of all ages, walks of life, and socioeconomic statuses, and in the digital age true literacy cannot be achieved without unfettered access to the entirety of the world wide web. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I am a librarian. ISPs should not be the arbiters of information. Slowing down the internet selectively will allow an invisible hand of censorship into our public discourse. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T the authority to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our ability to see certain websites or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| As a future librarian, I believe so strongly in equal and unbiased access to information. For the first time in human history, we're on our way to achieving it; more people than ever can access more information than was conceivable a generation ago. This gift is immeasurable and unthinkable in its value and its fragility. Corporations and wealthy individuals already have so much control over the average American's life and the media they consume, and the ability to access information is one of the few areas that remain diverse and free. Title II and the protection of net neutrality are fundamental parts of our lives and learning, and to take that away would be so, so damaging to the Internet as we know it and would push us further down the path of restricting the ability to learn. Of course, the removal of these protections would also harm businesses, especially the small, independent ones who would be unable to pay enough to make a platform for themselves. We must protect the intellectual and economic diversity the Internet has facilitated. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy protections we demanded and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian in a public library, and I see every day how access to the Internet and the diverse services and sources of information it holds are vital to people every day. Patrons of all walks of life rely on the internet for everything from finding a doctor for a vital procedure, to connecting with family members gone unseen from decades, to finding the best ways to care for a new baby. | |
| Access to the Internet has become a basic human need in modern society, and the plan to eliminate Net Neutrality threatens not only the diversity and availability of content available, but also the affordability of access for all Americans. Failing to uphold strong Title II Net Neutrality laws will deprive them of tools vital to participation in modern society, and will hurt the nation as a whole. | |
| Thanks for protecting Internet users like me by upholding the existing Title II net neutrality rules. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon the authority to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t slow or block consumers’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on expression and innovation. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian. My profession has always been founded on the idea that information is for sharing. Loss of current net neutrality protections would make it much harder for people to connect with each other, to share what they know, and, in short, to perform the acts that are the basis of our society. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| As an Internet user, I’m asking the FCC to protect the net neutrality protections currently in place. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping users of the meaningful privacy and access rules we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that Internet providers can’t slow or block our ability to see certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging websites and online services money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s contrary to the basic precepts on which the Internet was built. | |
| I am a librarian and access to information is vital to the success and well being of an individual. I've seen firsthand how a lack of information has cost people their health, their job, their home, and/or their retirement. Please help keep information accessible so that all individuals can be on an equal playing field. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I use the internet a lot in my personal time and in my professional job. As a librarian, I need stable internet access to retrieve articles, books, and other resources for the patrons who need my help. I cannot do my job if the connection is slow, or if a once-trusted website has a conflict of interests. | |
| In my private time, I like to make art, which I share online with other amateur artists. This sense of creation and community could easily be destroyed if the internet was slow. | |
| There's no point to an internet that isn't freely accessible to all. Internet access should not only be available to a privileged few. It needs to be accessible for everyone. Careers, information, hobbies...those are only a few examples of what American Society uses the internet for. Those are only a few things that are worth defending for everyone. | |
| Caitlin | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC should ensure a fair and open Internet for all by opposing efforts to undermine net neutrality. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T free rein to throttle whatever they please, stripping Internet users of the vital access and privacy rules we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISPs can’t block or slow users’ ability to see certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would transform ISPs into Internet gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian, and it's my job to ensure that the people I serve have free and open access to information and ideas. Our society depends on an informed public, and with so much news, information and exchange of ideas happening online now, the only way to ensure that continues is with a free and open internet. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T free rein to engage in data discrimination, stripping consumers of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we fought for and won just two years ago. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain websites or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s the best way forward to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits small businesses and consumers as well as entrenched Internet companies. Pai’s proposal would help turn ISPs into gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I am a librarian. Our ability to provide equitable access to electronic resources depends on equal access to bandwidth. Freedom of information depends on net neutrality and this country depends on an informed citizenry to make informed decisions. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC needs to stand up for Internet users like me and keep the net neutrality rules that are already in effect. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary access and privacy rules we demanded and so recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the existing FCC regulations mean that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow customers’ ability to see certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services money to reach people faster. That’s exactly the right balance to make sure competition in the Internet space is fair and benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, I work in a field that requires me to access various types of information everyday. In a typical day i can look up how to repair a kitchen sink, tax laws for my state, a 5th grade summer reading list, and upcoming book releases. My fear is that ISPs will begin to limit access to information and services based on their own personal views and opinions. I also worry information and services,that have up to this point have been free to everyone, will be put behind pay walls that limit their access to only the wealthy. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
| ---------- | |
| I strongly oppose these changes to net neutrality regulations. As a professional librarian, I believe loosening net neutrality regulations poses a threat to the public's free access to information, and will hinder the ability of libraries to properly serve their patrons. | |
| ---------- | |
| The FCC must protect the open Internet by maintaining net neutrality protections under Title II. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast the legal cover to create Internet fast lanes, stripping users of the necessary privacy and access safeguards we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m afraid of a “pay-to-play” Internet where ISPs can charge more for certain websites because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current Open Internet rules mean that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would transform ISPs into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian. I live to teach about access to information. Please do NOT make my job any harder. | |
| I appreciate you maintaining Title II net neutrality rules and the rights of Internet users like me. | |
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| As a librarian in a Mid-Missouri community, I see how net neutrality has positively affected those in my community. The public library system offers free internet access to all users, and that greatly benefits our rural users who may not have access to the internet due to location, or financial issues. There is a great digital divide in Mid-Missouri, one in which the libraries in this area do their best to close. Rolling back net neutrality would make the library pay even more for internet access. Our public library is a hub of information, and people who come to the library because they cannot afford broadband access at home should not have their choices in information shaped by who can pay the most. Library sites—key portals for those looking for unbiased knowledge, and rolling back these issues will severely inhibit the library's ability to provide access for school project collaboration, uploading resumes for job applications, make streaming videos slow down, access government programs and services, video conferencing, and so much more. Even subtle differences in internet transmission speeds can make a great difference in how a user receives, uses, and shares digital information. | |
| As a librarian at a university that is severely affected by great budget cuts, rolling back net neutrality could make one more thing for the university to look into. Internet access is imperative to our students in order to graduate college. They access courses online, they access research online, they do projects online. If our internet is down for 5 minutes, it affects our students immensely. As a nation, we should be doing all that we can to make sure our younger generation is educated, and get access to all the information they need. Net Neutrality does this. Without net neutrality, high-quality educational resources could be relegated to second tier status. Keep net neutrality the way that it is, and help protect our American right to preserving intellectual freedom and promoting equitable access to information. | |
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| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to hand the government-subsidized telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the authority to throttle whatever they please, stripping consumers of the necessary access and privacy protections we fought for and just recently won. | |
| I’m concerned about ISPs being allowed to discriminate against certain types of data or websites because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the current FCC regulations ensure that ISP monopolies can’t block or slow consumers’ access to certain web services or create Internet “fast lanes” by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits consumers and small businesses as well as larger players. Pai’s proposal would transform Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| As a librarian, the internet is necessary to the intellectual well-being of ours citizens. The good of this utility facilitates and provides far outweighs the unpleasant things given digital real estate. | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
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| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should reject Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized ISP monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T the legal cover to engage in data discrimination, stripping Internet users of the meaningful privacy and access protections we worked for and so recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because users will have fewer options and a less diverse Internet. Thankfully, the existing net neutrality rules mean that ISP monopolies can’t slow or block our access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging online services and websites money to reach customers faster. That’s the best way forward to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits small businesses and Internet users as well as larger players. Pai’s proposed repeal of the rules would help turn Internet providers into gatekeepers with the ability to veto new expression and innovation. That’s not the kind of Internet we want to pass on to future generations of technology users. | |
| I am a librarian and support a large community through Internet resources offered in my regional library. Removing net neutrality will make it more difficult for our patrons to access content necessary to their very existence, namely career counseling and job applications. Additionally, with library systems around the country already suffering from huge budget cuts, creating a situation that will lead to higher prices to access the Internet will cripple libraries in America. Libraries help level the playing field by providing access to information for ALL Americans. Let's keep America truly FREE, keep net neutrality! | |
| Thank you for keeping Title II net neutrality rules in place to protect Internet users like me. | |
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| Net Neutrality principles mirror many of the values that we librarians and library professionals hold dear, values that infuse and enable the service we provide for our patrons in public and academic libraries: critical and creative thinking, free speech, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information for all citizens. I spend my days trying to make free information findable for our patrons, and thus continue to support for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) existing 2015 Open Internet Order and the Title II classification of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as common carriers. It SHOULD be the remit of the FCC rules to ensure that the Internet remains open for free speech, education, and innovation. | |
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| I’m calling on the FCC to stand up for net neutrality and safeguard Title II protections. | |
| The FCC should throw out Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to give the government-subsidized telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon free rein to create Internet fast lanes, stripping Internet users of the necessary access and privacy rules we demanded and just recently won. | |
| I’m worried about creating a tiered Internet with “fast lanes” for certain sites or services because ISPs could have too much power to determine what I can do online. Thankfully, the current net neutrality rules ensure that ISPs can’t slow or block customers’ access to certain web services or engage in data discrimination by charging websites and online services more money to reach consumers faster. That’s exactly the right balance to ensure the Internet remains a level playing field that benefits Internet users and small businesses as well as entrenched Internet companies. Chairman Pai’s proposal would help turn Internet providers into Internet gatekeepers with an effective veto right on innovation and expression. That’s not how the Internet was built, and that's not what we want. | |
| I'm a librarian. The idea that a handful of corporations could control the flow of information and media scares me. | |
| I urge you to keep Title II net neutrality in place, and safeguard Internet users like me. | |
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| As a librarian, the FCC's Open Internet Rules (net neutrality rules) are especially and extremely important to me. I urge you to protect them. | |
| I don't want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, or split the Internet into "fast lanes" for companies that pay and "slow lanes" for the rest. |
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