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Don't let the government slow Internet progress The Internet has become a powerful communications and economic force because it has been free from government interference. To make sure the power and promise of the Internet continues, we need to keep it free of government interference.
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Latest from the IFC Nervous Network: Providers' freedom is the lifeblood of cyber democracy Thursday, March 27, 2008 Letter to the Editor: Seattle Times Editor, The Times: Your endorsement of Internet regulation ["Internet in jeopardy as neutrality erodes," Times editorial, March 5] calls for government management of the Internet to "fix" a problem that simply does not exist. Every day there are new Internet services and applications being developed. They are improving Americans' quality of life by bringing new choices for entertainment, new opportunities for education and advancements in health care. This is the most dynamic sector of America's economy, driven by technological innovation and robust investment. It is all taking place because government policymakers have avoided the temptation to micromanage this rapidly evolving environment, and the entrepreneurs who are investing are free to explore a variety of partnerships, business models and services. Today, Americans can go anywhere they want on the Internet, they can attach any device or run any application. And consumers are free to choose from a host of providers of Internet access — telecom companies, cable companies, wireless companies, satellite companies and, in some areas, power companies and municipalities. Indeed, the U.S. government has noted that there are nearly 1,400 providers of Internet access, that citizens living in more than 90 percent of the nation's ZIP codes have more than three providers to choose from, and in more than half the nation's ZIP codes, there are six or more providers. So, there is no need to chill this robust activity by suggesting it is somehow troubling that all this innovation is occurring in the absence of a government-set broadband policy and Internet regulation. Let's leave ingenuity where it can continue to blossom — with the American people. — Walter B. McCormick Jr., president and CEO, United States Telecom Association, Washington, D.C. 3/27/2008 11:20:00 AM Previous Posts: Top News
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