Several CEO heavyweights weigh in on the new pending House broadband bill and how it may affect network neutrality with the following letter... We should all call our Congressman and tell them how we feel about this issue - whether you are for or against it. This issue is too important to ignore and I'm afraid mightly lobbying efforts by the broadband providers could affect the competitive landscape of the Internet and give consumers less choice. I guess you know where I stand on this issue. In any event, here's the letter.
The Honorable Joe Barton
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We write to express our concern that the telecommunications legislation being considered by the Committee fails to preserve the longstanding openness of the Internet.Without critical changes, the legislation puts at risk consumer choice, American innovation and global competitiveness.
Until FCC decisions made last summer, consumers' ability to choose the content and services they want via their broadband connections was assured by regulatory safeguards.Innovators likewise have been able to use their ingenuity and knowledge of the marketplace to develop new and better online offerings.This "innovation without permission" has fueled phenomenal economic growth, productivity gains, and global leadership for our nation's high tech companies.
To preserve this environment, we urge the Committee to include language that directly addresses broadband network operators' ability to manipulate what consumers will see and do online.It is equally important to pass a bill that fleshes out these consumer freedoms via rules of the road that are both meaningful and readily enforceable.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and other Members of the Committee to protect millions of Americans' legitimate expectations in an open Internet, as well as the innovation and competitiveness that it creates.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jeff Bezos
Founder and CEO
Amazon.com
/s/ Meg Whitman
President and CEO
eBay Inc.
/s/ Eric Schmidt
Chief Executive Officer
Google Inc.
/s/ Barry Diller
Chairman and CEO
IAC/InterActiveCorp
/s/Steve Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer
Microsoft Corp.
/s/ Terry Semel
Chief Executive Officer
Yahoo!
Cc:Members of the Energy & Commerce Committee
CEO Heavyweights Weigh in on House Broadband Bill and net neutrality
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I fail to understand why the major Internet sites are so enamored of having government involved in this issue. Well, I guess I understand, but it seems extremely short sighted. It's not as though their allies on this issue have a reputation for being in favor of giant businesses. In the end, I can't see the benefit of asking the government to choose sides on this issue. Our legislators have special interests, not the consumer, in mind.
I agree with you, no matter how you feel on this issue the case needs to be brought to our Congressmen. What I do disagree about, however, is the need for legislation. In fact I think it is the very "consumer choice, American innovation and global competitiveness" that you want to preserve that I think necessitates government not acting. Regulation prevents competition, lack of competition increases cost, limits options, and destroys innovation. I'm sure you have good reasons for holding the views that you do, but I must disagree with you.
Readers of this comment thread should know that lessgov and pkp646 look to be part of a tag-team of industry shills who invade blog comments on net neutrality to argue against any government regulation of the Internet. Other names who run with this crowd are Paulaner01, John Rice, AJ Carey and oldhats. (Google any of these names in combination and you'll see how their game works).
By tag-teaming the blogs this small handful of individuals gives the false impression of broad popular support for an industry-friendly position.
What they fail to point out is that Net Neutrality has been the rule that has governed access to the Internet since its inception. It's the reason that the Internet has become such a dynamic force for new ideas, economic innovation and free speech. What they really want is for Congress to radically re-write our telecommunications laws so that companies like AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth can swoop in and become gatekeepers to Internet content -- in a way that benefits no one except the largest ISPs.
I'd like these people to tell us how it is that they appear together (usually one after the other) spouting identical industry talking points across the blogosphere.
What gives fellas? Are you being paid? And by whom?
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