What Is Internet Access for All?
Network Neutrality — or "Net Neutrality" for short — is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.
Put simply, Net Neutrality means no discrimination. Net Neutrality prevents Internet providers from speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination.
Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It protects the consumer's right to use any equipment, content, application or service on a non-discriminatory basis without interference from the network provider. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data—not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.
The ACLU/SC's commitment to free speech and equal access under the Constitution makes this an important and timely issue for us and our supporters. With your help, we’re going to contact our representatives in Congress to pass Net Neutrality laws that will keep the Internet free and open to all.
Urge Your Senators To Restore Net Neutrality
The United States Senate is currently considering a bipartisan bill offered by Senators Olympia Snowe and Byron Dorgan, S. 215, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, that would restore Network Neutrality protections in place before July 2005. The Snowe-Dorgan bill requires that any content, application, or service offered through the Internet be provided on a basis that is "reasonable and nondiscriminatory" and equivalent to the access, speed, quality of service, and bandwidth of services offered by network owners. It further prohibits network providers from blocking or degrading lawful Internet content. Finally, it leaves the choice for attaching legal devices to networks squarely in the hands of consumers, and not the telecoms and cable companies.
Only the Snowe-Dorgan bill, or similar legislation that restores the three guiding principles of Internet freedom and innovation, will prevent the content and access discrimination that the telecoms and cable companies are seeking.
Call your senators about this issue. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
