Net Freedom

An easy-to-understand explanation of net neutrality

Powerful interests who own the pipes and access to the Internet are trying to break the Net. These special interests want to expand their control over Internet access to the limitless world of content, and discriminate among providers of online games, tv, music, and high-bandwidth applications.

Net Neutrality

Right now, consumers can get whatever content they want, whenever they want it - without having to worry about having a cable company or a phone company interfering. After all, consumers have paid for their access to the Net - and they should choose what they visit.

Some of these cable and phone companies are trying to discriminate in the delivery of content. They are saying that instead of making available to everyone the same content at the same price, they want to set up sweetheart arrangements to play favorites.

This isn’t how the Internet should work. The network should be neutral.

And it’s not just about fairness for consumers. It’s a matter of economic opportunity for everyone - from Internet giants to small startups to young people with big dreams. Because everyone gets access to the same Internet, everyone has a chance.

Senator Ron Wyden has introduced Net Neutrality legislation that would ensure the network operators treat internet content equally by:

Not interfering with, blocking, degrading, altering, modifying or changing traffic on the Internet;
Not being allowed to create a priority lane where content providers can buy quicker access to customers, while those who do not pay the fee are left in the slow lane;
Allowing consumers to choose which devices they use to connect to the Internet while they are on the net;
Ensuring that consumers have non-discriminatory access and service; and
Having a transparent system in which consumers, Internet content, and applications companies have access to the rates, terms, and conditions for Internet service.

Net Radio

It’s simple. Royalties to musical artists should be fair and equal, no matter what technology is used to play their music.

That’s why Senator Wyden has introduced legislation to protect Internet radio - by giving it the same royalty structure as satellite radio, and protecting noncommercial internet radio, like NPR and college radio.

Without Senator Wyden’s Internet Radio Equality Act, internet radio will suffocate under the royalty structure that the music industry has imposed on this new venue for musicians.

Net Taxes

The Internet is still an emerging economic force, and we can’t let internet-only taxes stifle innovation. Senator Wyden sponsored the original legislation that barred internet-only taxes, and continues the fight to protect the Internet.

The Internet has thrived precisely because it is neutral. It has thrived because consumers, and not some giant cable or phone company, get to choose what they want to see and how quickly they get to see it.