Standing up for the Internet

If Big Cable has their way, the Internet will look like this: 

And that's not good for anyone but Big Cable.

Today is the #InternetSlowdown, a day of action to tell the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect Net Neutrality. I'm participating because the principle of Net Neutrality – the freedom to compete online – is too important for our economy, education, and freedom of speech not to speak out.

Right now, the FCC is in the process of crafting new rules. Rules that many Americans, members of Congress, innovators, and myself hope will protect net neutrality once and for all. Earlier this year, I submitted my comments to the FCC, making clear that the only way to effectively protect Net Neutrality – the foundation of the Internet – is to reclassify broadband under Title II of the Telecommunications Act.

Just submitting comments, emailing, or tweeting once isn't enough – for me or for you. We need to keep up the drumbeat. I'm listening to all the grassroots voices and I hope that the FCC and other policymakers are too.

Like SOPA/PIPA, sometimes it takes days like today to get folks to listen to the Internet's users and do what's needed to protect principles that make the Internet the platform for commerce and speech it is today. Without net neutrality, start-ups will never leave the garage and Big Cable will have free rein to charge companies more to deliver their content at an acceptable speed.

Join me and the millions of others who have commented to the FCC and tell them to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and protect the freedom to compete online.

Check out Battle for the Net for ideas on how to make your voice heard.