The Importance of Network Neutrality

[Commentary] As a result of American companies' innovation and the historic openness of the Internet since its creation, the international language of the Internet is uniquely American: Google, Yahoo!, YouTube, Twitter, Amazon, Facebook and Hulu. It is a success story that could be made only in America.

But as the Internet evolves, we now face a choice. Can we preserve this wildly successful medium and the freedom it embodies, or do we permit network operators to alter how the Internet has historically functioned? Do we retain a level playing field for entrepreneurial entry? Or do we impose new fees and the artificial creation of slow lanes and fast lanes for content providers? I strongly believe that we must enshrine the basic principles of openness and fairness into the rules governing how Internet service providers operate. And the Federal Communications Commission should serve as the top "cop on the beat" to ensure these principles are upheld in the marketplace. Net neutrality is not about government regulation of the Internet. It's about fair rules of the road for the companies that now control access. At this pivotal moment, if we make certain that the Internet remains an unfettered platform for competition, creativity and entrepreneurial activity, we can ensure that consumers benefit and competition, innovation and investment continue to flourish.