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Save Internet Freedom—from regulation
By Larry Hendrick | December 12, 2007
I’ve been against the net-neutrality movement from the beginning, stating my mistrust of any government involvement in a free and open Internet. It goes hand-in-hand with my views on Muni-Wifi, where my experience with wireless technology and business showed no viable business model long before Earthlink started to re-think their position.
Today on c|net’s News.com, Larry Downes covers the subject in a more eloquent manner than I ever have, using the rail and air industry as examples of the failed government regulating ability (my favorite is the cable industry).
Save Internet freedom–from regulation | Perspectives | CNET News.com Proponents of Net neutrality–some of whom have led the battles against other forms of network regulation–argue that this law is different. Mandating Net neutrality is simple, fair, and preserves the very features of the Internet that make it so valuable. Indeed, the Senates version of Net neutrality legislation carries the lofty title of Internet Freedom Preservation Act.
The problem with “simple” regulations is that they never are–especially when the industry being regulated, thanks to new technologies, is evolving rapidly.
Who could be against preserving freedom? But the information superhighway to hell is surely paved with good intentions.
Thats the lesson of Americas first misadventure in enforcing “neutrality” on a key piece of national infrastructure: the railroads.
Downes has the credentials (nonresident fellow at the Stanford Law School Center for Internet and Society) to back up his examination of how the government has done everything but keep their charges neutral. In fact, innovation and cheaper prices didn’t come about until the government agencies were dissolved and the free-market took over.
I know this issue will not be settled until a look into the past shows Larry and me to be prophets, but we will continue to herald the truth.
Tags: government regulation, Internet, muni-wifi, net neutrality
Topics: Business, Technology |