The giant telcos are trying to pull a fast one

Big telephone companies are trying to convince Congress that they should be able to set up a two (or more) tier internet, which would divide the "haves" from the "have nots" in terms of data speed and access. In order to fight this legislation, a number of major internet and computing companies, along with such well-respected internet, consumer and citizen advocacy groups as Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports), the American Library Association, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, and others, are trying to keep the internet open to all on an equal access basis.

We concur with this argument, which is why readers will see the "SAVE THE INTERNET: Contact Congress Right Now!" button prominently displayed in the right hand column.

However, the big telcos (and their ad agencies) are really clever. They have succeeded in placing a Google ad on our website directing clickthroughs to a Flash animation turning the whole argument around. While they were the ones that initially requested legislation from Congress in their favor, they are now claiming that it's the open internet proponents who are looking for special favors from Congress.

Proponents of ending "net neutrality" — the system we have now — are such big players as AT&T and BellSouth. Hey, wait a minute! Aren't these names familiar? Aren't they the same companies that willy-nilly turned over millions of phone records to the National Security Agency without even asking for so much as a warrant? (Note, as of 5/25/06, BellSouth denies the charge.)

It's a confusing issue as both sides claim to be saving the internet. The telco-sponsored group, Hands off the Internet, even posts a mock campaign button that reads, "Join Us and Say NO to Government Regulation of the Internet." But the bottom line is: Who is supporting each side? Behind Hands off the Internet are large telcos, wireless carriers, pro-telco industry business groups, and right-wing think tanks. Supporting SavetheInternet.com is a much broader coalition, ranging from the Christian Coalition to MoveOn.org, with dozens of nonprofit advocacy groups in between.

Needless to say, we've now put a block on the Hands off the Internet Google ads. Like countless other advocates of freedom of access to the internet, we favor net neutrality.

LP