Net Neutrality: Myths and Facts
Myth: Net Neutrality is a "solution in search of a problem" or no problems have arisen from allowing a tiered system on the web.
Fact: It's true no one knows for sure what will happen if a fully tiered system is put in place, but some early indications are troubling. In 2004, North Carolina ISP Madison River blocked their DSL customers from using any rival web-based phone service. In 2005, Canada's telephone giant Telus blocked customers from visiting a website sympathetic to the Telecommunications Workers Union during a labor dispute.
When asked about Google and other web sites using SBC's Internet service, SBC Chairman Edward E. Whitacre Jr. told Business Week in 2005:
"Now what they would like to do is use my pipes free, but I ain't going to let them do that because we have spent this capital and we have to have a return on it. So there's going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they're using," he said. "Why should they be allowed to use my pipes? The Internet can't be free in that sense, because we and the cable companies have made an investment and for a Google or Yahoo or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes free is nuts."
There is also a historical precedent for avoiding a tiered system on the web. Commercial radio is perhaps the best example of the dangers of what the ISPs want to do. Commercial radio stations and big record labels have long engaged in "payola" - payments to play certain songs. The result is that commercial radio has become a bland, homogenized form of entertainment that largely shuts out independent artists and whole genres of music.
Myth: More regulation will harm the Internet.
Fact: Just the opposite. If a tiered system is put in place, it's easy to see how the vibrancy of the Internet might be dampened. Open access to the web has allowed wikipedia, Pitchfork and Google to grow from zero to major forces in cyberspace. Creating an environment where companies have to pay for better Internet service could create a system of "haves" and "have-nots." Small companies, artists or record labels might not have the ability to afford the better service, and would be at a disadvantage. Competition and innovation would likely suffer. A legitimate digital economy should be organized in such a way that one person can see a need or imagine a possibility, can follow through with the idea and reasonably believe that their idea has as good a chance of success as any other.
Myth: If Internet service providers aren't able to charge web sites for faster service, they won't be able to foot the bill for building a better Internet.
Fact: ISPs may make more money by charging web sites for faster service, but it's hardly the only way to pay for the costs of building the Internet. If most people were given the option of paying more for Internet service or allowing cable and phone companies to choose what web sites they can effectively visit, most would choose the first option. Besides, if ISPs charge web sites for faster loading speed, Amazon, iTunes and others will undoubtedly pass the costs onto consumers.
Myth: Enshrining network neutrality in law would mean police, fire and other critical services would be subject the same network outages and problems as anyone else. This could hurt their ability to respond to a disaster or other problem.
Fact: Network neutrality does not have to be absolute. Provisions could be made for police, fire, rescue and other critical services such as doctors performing surgery via the Internet to have network priority.
Myth: The web is already not net neutral.
Fact: Opponents of net neutrality often like to point out to the fact that different people have different connection speeds to the Internet (i.e. dial-up or DSL) therefore the net is already not net neutral. This argument misses the essential character of the net. Currently, the smallest blogger and the New York Times compete on equal footing for readers, since all web sites have equivalent access to the net. Different speeds of Internet access is a far cry from Comcast or Verizon inking deals to give better web site performance to those that can pay.
Read Why Net Neutrality is Important for Musicians
Read FMC's Net Neutrality fact sheet
Read Untangling Net Neutrality: One Music Advocate's Perspective
Join the Rock the Net Campaign!
-
Bands: join the campaign. Create a band account, then add events that will display on the Rock the Net map. Indie labels and venues can join here.
-
Fans: sign the petition.2454 people have already signed a petition supporting Net Neutrality. Sign it today!
-
Search for the campaign's shows and events. 927 bands have already dedicated 200 shows to the Rock the Net campaign. Search by band name, by city, by venue or by date!