“This act, contrary to its name, would stifle innovation and choice by unleashing government control of the Internet,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “So far, the Internet has flourished without government meddling, allowing companies to invest in new technologies without politicians and bureaucrats dictating how they can be used.”

Net neutrality would mandate that Internet service providers carry every single piece of content and every service available, regardless of cost or need.  Content providers have expressed concern that the ISPs would either block content or create different tiers of online services.  Such differential pricing occurs in virtually all forms of commerce, such as charging more for faster delivery of packages by UPS or Federal Express.  Should net neutrality become law and traffic on the Internet continue to skyrocket, the delivery of important content, such as medical information, will receive the same treatment as spam.

On June 8, 2006, by a vote of 269-152, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected efforts to enact federal neutrality regulations over the Internet.  Hearings before the Senate Commerce Committee shortly after the House bill passed demonstrated that the Federal Communications Commission has existing authority to guarantee an open Internet.

“Lawmakers should move carefully as they consider imposing restrictions on an industry that remains vibrant and competitive, mostly due to the absence of regulation.  If service providers are unable to charge higher rates to higher-volume content providers, the increased costs will be passed on to all consumers instead of the ones using the most bandwidth.  Service providers will also have less incentive to continue deploying high-speed infrastructure.  Competition will ensure access to content.  It is a waste of taxpayers’ money to increase bureaucratic control over the Internet,” Schatz continued.

 “Private property is the basis of all free enterprise.  Government mandates on service providers will severely hamper the long-term development of the Internet.  CCAGW urges the Senate to vote down S. 215, which is anything but neutral,” Schatz concluded.

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.