Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Make Your Opinion Known Now

"Be a regulator. Keep President Obama's 2007 PROMISE to protect net neutrality!"
  -- Jaye Albright

That was my comment in response to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's blog post "Finding the Best Path Forward to Protect the Open Internet"

I hope you'll ponder the issue and let the FCC hear your voice as well.

Of course, you don't need to agree with me, but I hope you consider this:

If my worst fears surrounding the so-called "Open Internet" proposed rule making prove to be true, it might be a boon for over-the-air broadcasting as streaming audiences either have to pay more for what we all have access to now or  experience slower connections.  If I am right, it would also slow the pace of the battle for the broadband vehicle dashboard, reinforcing the power of traditional radio, so allowing it to proceed could even be in broadcasters' self-interest, keeping AM-FM the free, fastest way to access audio entertainment long-term.

Innovation and genuine open access challenge all business.  It's natural to want to create barriers to potential competition to enter your segment of consumers and technology, but the common good opens far more opportunity than trying to corner another market.

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