Today's Quote

"There are 250,000 networks that make up the Internet. They are compensated by its users," said net neutrality advocate Vinton Cerf, Google vice president and Internet pioneer. "Allowing broadband carriers to control what people see and do online would fundamentally undermine the principles that have made the Internet such a success."

Mr. Cerf said that with the Internet's development toward a faster service using broadband networks, its "openness is being threatened." He warned of an increasing pressure among carriers to "use their power to block competitors by seeking extra payments to ensure that Internet content can be seen and generally control consumer activity online." He said the Federal Communications Commission has refused to require broadband providers to adhere to the longstanding nondiscrimination rules that govern the telephone system. A new law, he said, would protect consumers by limiting the ways carriers can interfere in the choices of their Internet users.