Open the Internets!

The recent new about Tom Wheeler's proposal for new rules regarding net neutrality has been the cause for many a heated discussion on forums, in comments, and on social media sites; and I do not blame them.  The Internet, since it became open to the public, has been a huge sandbox; a place for unlimited potential.  It has closed the gap between the corporate world and the consumer, as people are able to voice their opinions and give feedback to producers of goods in a way that has never been possible before.  The Internet has been a place where creativity can flourish, as creators of music, video, and art no longer require a middle man to get their medium of choice to the masses.  It has also been a place for anyone with the desire to start their own business to realize that dream; the Internet can be used to expand a business's reach to customers they would not have otherwise, or run a small business from one's own home.

Internet access has never been amazing in our country.  If you live in any of the larger metropolitan areas, or the surrounding suburbs, in our nation, you have had the pleasure of broadband connections and wireless access, assuming you can afford it.  However, there are still large swaths of the country that have only dial-up as an option, though there are some satellite services out there; again, if you can afford it.  Those of us with broadband choices are left with few of them, and the fear around this proposal by Mr. Wheeler has people worried that those few companies will control how we access what and from what device.

Wheeler's proposal says that ISP's will be held accountable for ensuring customers are getting the speeds they are paying for, which is great, but it also seems to provide said ISP's with the ability to create "fast lanes" on the Internet by charging content providers more money in order to distribute their content at the speeds that they currently do.  This will, of course, lead to more expensive services from those content providers, and with so few choices, we as consumers still loose.

The FCC has voted on going forward with the proposal as it stands, so far, and is open for comment by one and all.  Just do a Google search for "net neutrality", and you will find a way to let your voice be heard.