Protect Net Neutrality!

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In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted the Open Internet Order, better known as net neutrality. The rules of net neutrality made it **illegal for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to bar, throttle, or slow access to content, applications, or services, as well as prohibiting ISPs from giving paid prioritizations to content or services on the Internet** \[1\].

The new FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, is taking steps toward removing net neutrality and returning the Internet, and its regulations, back to their original status prior to 2015. Pai has been longtime critic of net neutrality. In his view, the regulations on ISPs stifle innovation and investments, saying in a speech in Washington, D.C., "It's basic economics. The more heavily you regulate something, the less of it you're likely to get \[2\]."

Supporters of net neutrality, like the trade group the Internet Association - which represents tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook – have been adamant that net neutrality must remain in place. "The internet industry is uniform in its belief that net neutrality preserves the consumer experience, competition and innovation online," the Internet Association said. "Existing net neutrality rules should be enforced and kept intact \[3\]."

_MIT Technology Review_ asked in an online article, "many ISPs are rolling out streaming video products of their own. What is to stop them from giving their own content, or that of an exclusive partner, preferential treatment \[4\]?"

Instead of making an executive order, Pai submitted a proposal that is open to public comment and will then go before the full panel of FCC commissioners. However, he seems dismissive of any actions other than removing net neutrality \[5\].

Net neutrality ensures that everyone has equal access to content and services on the Internet, regardless of their provider or location. That must not change! **Show your support of net neutrality and holding Internet providers to the standards of open, equal Internet access by signing the petition.** Make your voice heard!