“The FCC currently relies on four ‘guiding principles’ for network managers that were established in a 2005 broadband policy statement.  These principles call for open access to legal content, choice of applications, use of various personal devices, and easily obtainable service plan information from competing providers. 

“Although fierce competition in the marketplace has kept prices low and consumer choices plentiful, the FCC is proposing to codify the four principles and add two more to the list: a nondiscrimination rule that would prohibit providers from selectively blocking or slowing web content or applications, and a transparency rule that would require providers to share network management practices with consumers.  Implementing these new rules would prohibit Internet providers from discriminating or acting as ‘gatekeepers’ of web content.

“The notion of equality on the Internet may sound reasonable, but net neutrality is instead an attack on private sector business models.  The new rules would require providers to treat all web traffic equally and would prohibit them from restricting access to illegal content.  Providers would also be barred from slowing access to services or sites that consume excessive bandwidth or are offered by rivals.  This policy will ultimately inhibit broadband providers from offering expedited delivery speeds at higher prices, a choice that should be up to consumers.

“Regulation of the Internet would prevent carriers from managing their own networks, including the ability to curtail viruses and other harmful content.  Forcing wireless carriers to open their networks to data-heavy applications like streaming video, graphic-rich games, and movies and music downloads, would only exacerbate the problem, slowing service and potentially causing other disruptions for customers.

“The proposed regulations are an unnecessary government intrusion into the free market and attempt to solve a problem that does not exist.  The broadband industry is already a competitive market.  The government should not be regulating the pricing options that broadband service providers can charge. 

“The Internet exists primarily for the sharing of knowledge and ideas.  As America’s greatest renewable resource, ideas drive imagination and vibrancy in our economy.  Codifying and amending net neutrality rules will undoubtedly stifle Internet innovation, limit the dissemination of knowledge and ideas, and adversely affect economic growth.” 

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.  Other commentary on Net Neutrality by CAGW can be found here, here, and here.

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