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WYDEN MOVES TO ENSURE FAIRNESS OF INTERNET
USAGE WITH NEW NET NEUTRALITY BILL
Network operators would be required to
treat all content on the Internet equally
for consumers, small businesses and innovators;
Wyden legislation is first comprehensive legislation in Congress
on net neutrality
March 02, 2006
Washington,
DC – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today unveiled ground-breaking
new legislation that would ensure “net neutrality,”
or equal delivery of content on the internet, for consumers and
business interests. Under Wyden’s bill, the Internet Nondiscrimination
Act of 2006, network operators would be prohibited from charging
companies for faster delivery of their content to consumers over
the internet or favoring certain content over others.
“Creating a two-tiered system
could have a chilling effect on small mom and pop businesses that
can’t afford the priority lane, leaving these smaller businesses
no hope of competing against the Wal-Marts of the world,”
said Wyden. “Neutrality in technology enables small businesses
to thrive on the Internet, and allows folks to start small and
dream big, and that’s what I want to protect with this legislation.”
Specifically, the Wyden bill would
ensure the network operators treat internet content equally by:
• Not interfering with, blocking,
degrading, altering, modifying or changing traffic on the Internet;
• Not being allowed to create
a priority lane where content providers can buy quicker access
to customers, while those who do not pay the fee are left in the
slow lane;
• Allowing consumers to choose
which devices they use to connect to the Internet while they are
on the net;
• Ensuring that consumers
have non-discriminatory access and service; and
• Having a transparent system
in which consumers, Internet content, and applications companies
have access to the rates, terms, and conditions for Internet service.
The Wyden legislation also ensures
that network operators can continue to protect subscribers against
unwanted spam, spyware, viruses, pornography and other programs.
It also ensures that network operators can respond to emergencies
and court-ordered law enforcement needs.
The legislation additionally provides
for a complaint-filing process before the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), in which an aggrieved party can file a written
complaint. If the FCC accepts the complaint, the burden of proof
is on the network operator to show it did not violate the law.
The FCC must reach a decision in 90 days. The penalties are the
same as those in the Communications Act, and the potential fines
are stiff enough to encourage compliance.
“It’s wrong to create
an information superhighway that’s strewn with discriminatory
hurdles,” said Wyden. “Today, I have introduced legislation
to stop the powerful interests who control access to the Internet
from picking winners and losers on the Internet. This bill is
for consumers, innovators and small businesses – it’s
all about equal access for everyone: the same access, the same
content, for the same price.”
Wyden is one of Congress’
leading advocates of fairness and pro-consumer policies governing
Internet usage. He is the original co-author of the Internet Tax
Nondiscrimination law as well as numerous other laws protecting
against spyware and spam.
Click
here to read more about Wyden's Net Neutrality Bill
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