Net neutrality advocates put pressure on lawmakers

NET NEUTRALITY ADVOCATES PUT PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS
[SOURCE: ComputerWorld, AUTHOR: Grant Gross]
Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee rejected a network neutrality amendment to a wide-ranging broadband bill on June 28, but it turns out that’s not the last they've heard of the issue. Since that vote, a group of organizations supporting Net neutrality have cranked up the pressure on the 11 Republican senators who voted against an amendment that sponsors wanted to add to the broadband bill. Organizations including the liberal MoveOn.org and the conservative Christian Coalition of America and others involved in the SavetheInternet.com coalition have urged members to contact senators and express their displeasure over the Net neutrality vote. Opponents of a Net neutrality law, including large broadband providers such as AT&T Inc. and Comcast Corp., say a law isn't needed because they do not plan to block or degrade Web content. A Net neutrality law would prevent them from exploring new business plans such as charging Web sites new fees for priority speeds and a higher quality of service, and those new business plans are needed to build next-generation broadband networks, providers say. Some of the people contacting lawmakers about Net neutrality say it will be an important issue as they vote in the November elections.
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