Risks of ‘Net neutrality’

RISKS OF 'NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Kansas City Star, AUTHOR: Paul Williams, NextInning.com]
[Commentary] John Rutledge thinks the biggest threat to US economic growth is network neutrality legislation. The issue blocked a well-written piece of legislation -- the COPE Act -- from being passed, Williams says. Part of COPE was the Consumer Internet Bill of Rights which would have guaranteed consumers that they can access and post any lawful Internet content (no blocking of any service); run any voice, video or e-mail application; run any software, service or search engine; and connect any legal device of their choosing to the Internet. In addition, it also said that customers shall be provided, “in plain language, the estimated speeds, capabilities, limitations, and pricing of any Internet service offered to the public without interference from Internet service providers or federal, state, or local governments.” Williams concludes: "So the next time someone pushing Net neutrality requests your support, ask the person to explain, in simple terms, exactly what he or she wants that the COPE Act doesn't provide."
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/technology/16873108.htm?source=rss&channel=kansascity_technology