5/6/2008 CEI Press Release:

Today the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Internet will hold a hearing on the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008 (H.R. 5353), introduced by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA). This legislation would impose network neutrality regulation on all Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Proponents of the legislation believe that neutrality regulation is necessary in order to prevent ISPs from blocking websites and other Internet-based services—becoming de facto censorship boards for new media. However, in attempting to prevent this unlikely nightmare scenario, advocates of this regulation risk denying ISPs the tools needed to manage the traffic of tomorrow’s Internet.

Supporters of neutrality regulation (like Ben Scott of the Washington-based advocacy group Free Press) claim that without new laws, Internet providers will act as “ gatekeepers ,” dictating what content consumers may access. Yet these claims make little sense when we consider how little leverage ISPs really have in today’s competitive landscape.

New, broadband-grade wireless offerings like Sprint’s Xohm Wi-Max service and multiple LTE-based networks are bringing new choices to nationwide markets. Franchise reform efforts in several states have allowed more wired connections to reach consumers as well. With more ISP choices than ever before, and numerous bold projects on the horizon, whatever leverage incumbents have now is quickly dwindling.

For the complete press release go to: http://cei.org/node/20634