AT&T Yields To Net Neutrality - posted by Day Tooley

What a difference a change in congress makes.

AT&T had to make a major concession to get FCC approval for its $85 billion acquisition of BellSouth Corporation.  After being a major contributor to the $1.5 million/day lobbying effort opposing restrictions on its ability to prioritize Internet traffic it carries and net neutrality during the last congress, AT&T agreed to: 

"… maintain neutral network and neutral routing in its wireline broadband Internet access service" for two years. 

The 5-member FCC commission consists of 3 Republicans and 2 Democrats.  However, Republican member Robert McDowell was compelled to recuse himself from the decision because he had served as a telecom industry lobbyist prior to his federal appointment.

This fight is not over, but seems to have turned a corner.  More details …

Happy New Year, Internet!

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Rich Bader Speaks Out On Network Neutrality - posted by Day Tooley

Senator Ron Wyden (R-Oregon) anchored a Net Neutrality Forum at Powell's Books on October 19, 2006.  Senator Wyden is leading the effort to preserve the Internet as an open and accessible resource for individuals and businesses.

EasyStreet President and CEO Rich Bader thanked the senator for his Internet support since 1995.  Listen to his remarks on behalf of maintaining an open Internet not controlled or constrained by a few monopoly companies.

View entire 23 minute Wyden/Bader presentation. 

 

 Net Neutrality Forum [5:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

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Danger of Net Neutrality in the hands of a Lame-Duck Congress - posted by Day Tooley

A thoughtful 1-1/2 hour program aired on OPB Channel 10 last night: Moyers on America - The Net at Risk

For those who need to understand the implications to the US economy and First Amendment that the loss of common carrier protections represent, this program is an excellent source.

You can get a sample from the Moyers on America website. OPB will rebroadcast this program on Friday, October 20th at 3:00am. Set your VCR/Tivo to record this if you can.  

The Internet with its universal access has allowed speech and competition to once again thrive and, along with it, innovation and opportunity. The large legacy phone and transport providers such as AT&T and Verizon are spending $1.5 million per day in lobbying efforts in Washington, DC to defeat net neutrality legislation.

There is a real danger between now and January that a lame-duck congress will ram through dangerous legislation unless all of us become vocal on the net neutrality issue. Small businesses should be particularly concerned.

Need some background? Here's a good class you can print. Then contact your congressional candidates make your preferences known. Links to current congress members for Oregon and Washington are here.

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Net Neutrality in the Senate - Money, Self-Interest and Social Responsibility - posted by Day Tooley

Senator Ron Wyden  has placed a hold on major telecommunications legislation recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee until clear language is included in the legislation that prevents discrimination in Internet access.

The senate legislation, as currently written, does not provide an effective policy on net neutrality.  Instead, the legislation opens the Internet up to large telecommunications companies and cable providers to charge consumers and small businesses new and discriminatory fees on top of those they already charge for Internet access.

Have you made yourself heard on this issue?  This is the time to weigh in with your US Senator and ensure that the Internet remains accessible to all, including small businesses who are the main employers and drivers of a robust economy.

Contact your US Senator:

Oregon:

Gorden H. Smith

Ron Wyden 

Washington: 

Maria Cantwell

Patty Murray 

Other states:

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Net Neutrality Amendment Fails To Pass. Sellout Moves To The Senate. - posted by Day Tooley

Yesterday, it appears that the combined purchasing power of the few outspent the interests of the many.  House Resolution H.R. 5252 passed without the Net Neutrality amendment.  Read quick summary at Rich Bader's blog.

Want to know how your Oregon and Washington representatives represented you?

Here's the amendment vote: (165 yes, 256 no: 39% correct)

    Yes: Blumenauer, DeFazio, Hooley, Wu, Baird, Dicks, McDermott (Thank you)
    No: Walden, Hastings, Inslee, Larsen, McMorris, Reichert, Smith

And the final vote after the amendment failed:   (321 yes, 101 no: 24% correct)
 
    No: Blumenauer, DeFazio, Wu, Baird, Larsen, McDermott (Thank you)
    Yes: Hooley, Walden, Dicks, Hastings, Inslee, McMorris, Reichert, Smith
 
Now it's on to the Senate.  Lots of $$$ being spread around here.

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