Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006

The "“Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006”" is a bill in the United States House of Representatives. [6/29/2006 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 303. "See References".] It is one of several bills on the topic of network neutrality proposed as part of a major overhaul of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Act is sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ), and Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN).

Overview

The “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006” proposes a change in the Clayton Antitrust Act to prohibit certain kinds of discrimination by broadband network providers. Specifically, the Act would make it unlawful for any broadband network provider to discriminate against any content, applications, or services, or to refuse to connect to other broadband providers. It would also make it unlawful for any broadband provider to restrict the sending or receiving of lawful conduct, to charge premiums for unrestricted access to lawful content, and to fail to disclose any terms, conditions, or limitations on the service it provides. Additionally, the Act would require any prioritization or enhanced quality of service to certain types of data to apply to all data of that type, regardless of the origin of such data, without imposing a surcharge for the enhanced service.

While there are many arguments for internet freedom, the main one is to lessen the digital divide. By not discriminating, the internet can be used as a tool for economic growth, civic engagement, and democratic communication. It gives the opportunity for small businesses and low-income citizens to excel without paying additional fees. Another argument is the internet should function parallel to a common American belief: free speech. As of now, the internet is controlled by its consumers and it is driven by innovation; internet freedom will keep it this way. Allowing this freedom will also prevent internet service providers from discriminating against content and competing services that they don’t support or agree with. If we have already bought the devices necessary to access the internet, why should we pay more to use the services that we need?

In the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 it states that the purpose of the act is to promote competition, facilitate trade, and to ensure competitive and non discriminatory access to the internet. In short, this Act is trying to promote net neutrality.

Notes

External links

* [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h5417rh.txt.pdf Full text of the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006”] (pdf)
* [http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/200500457.html WashingtonWatch.com page on H.R. 5417] [http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200605/NAT20060519a.html]

upporters

* [http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2006/05/25/bipartisan-victory-in-the-housebipartisan-majority-supports-internet-freedom-in-the-house/ SavetheInternet.com]
* [http://www.hearusnow.org/internet/27/ HearUsNow.org]

References

* Library of Congress. [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/R?cp109:FLD010:@1(hr541) House Report 109-541 – 29 June 2006]
* Library of Congress. [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR05417:@@@X H.R. 5417 – All Congressional Actions]