Network neutrality generally refers to the regulation of broadband network operators to require that they provide equal access to the network for all content and service providers.
The manner in which telecommunications networks operate and provide access by others to their telephone networks has long been subject to significant regulation. However, there has been little regulation governing access to the broadband networks that form key components of the Internet.
The transmission of data over broadband networks has grown significantly and continues to grow. As the number of sites on the Internet proliferates, as more sophisticated services are offered over the Internet, and as more voice, audio and multimedia files are transmitted by Internet, demand for the network often outpaces network capacity, resulting in degradation of service.
Network operators employ various technologies and techniques to manage the flow of traffic over the network. Some network operators have proposed offering different tiers of network access to content and service providers based on the payment of fees.
To date, the manner in which the network operators manage the flow of data through their networks has been largely free from governmental regulation.
MapLight.org provides a timeline of financial contributions from supporters and opponents of this bill and a breakdown of the voting record and interest group donations during the month of of the vote. Supporters of the bill (namely Verizon, AT&T, and Bellsouth) gave $15,220 on average to each congressman that voted in favor of the legislation and an average of $5,700 to each congressman who voted against it (Source: maplight.org).
In June 2006, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed its own telecoms bill that, among other things, protects net neutrality (Source: Senate Committee on CST)
Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced the Internet Freedom Preservation Act in Jan 2007. It would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to restore net neutrality protections. The bill appears to have been abandoned (Source: GovTrack.us).
| Stance | Person | Profession |
|---|---|---|
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Hillary Clinton (D) | Secretary of State |
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John McCain (R) | Senator & Retired Naval Captain |
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Barack Obama (D) | 44th President of the United States |
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Rudy Giuliani (R) | Fmr. NYC Mayor |
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John Edwards (D) | Attorney and Former Presidential Candidate |
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Fred Thompson (R) | Presidential Candidate, Lawyer, Lobbyist, Actor, and Former Senator |
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Dennis Kucinich (D) | Congressman |
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Joe Biden (D) | 47th Vice President of the United States |
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Mike Huckabee (R) | Fmr. Governor & Minister |
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Ron Paul (R) | Congressman and Physician |
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Sam Brownback (R) | Senator |
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Chris Dodd (D) | Senator |
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Mike Gravel | Fmr. Alaskan Senator |
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Duncan Hunter (R) | Congressman |
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Tom Tancredo (R) | U.S. Representative |
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Barbara Boxer (D) | U.S. Senator |
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Ted Stevens (R) | Former U.S. Senator |
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William Satterwhite (I) |
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A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace
>> started by teleomorph, views since Dec 18, 2008 |
teleomorph >> Updated 196 days, 10 hours, 35 minutes ago |
Net Neutrality |
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Net Neutrality "gotcha"
>> started by jayceeranger, views since Nov 4, 2008 |
jayceeranger >> Updated 240 days, 10 hours, 19 minutes ago |
Net Neutrality |
2
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net neutrality
>> started by phil, views since May 2, 2008 |
ShadowRyu >> Updated 282 days, 23 hours, 39 minutes ago |
Net Neutrality |
8
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A Big Victory for the Pro-Neutrality Crowd
>> started by AvengingTiki, views since Aug 1, 2008 |
ronaldvandevender >> Updated 334 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes ago |
Net Neutrality |
2
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Needs more attention
>> started by sonofdad, views since Oct 24, 2007 |
HelloDollyLlama (I) >> Updated 357 days, 17 hours, 30 minutes ago |
Net Neutrality |
26
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| teleomorph posted on the Net Neutrality forum - (A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace ) | |
| jayceeranger posted on the Net Neutrality forum - (Net Neutrality "gotcha") | |
| ShadowRyu posted on the Net Neutrality forum - (net neutrality) | |
| jackriter posted on the Net Neutrality forum - (net neutrality) | |
| ShadowRyu posted on the Net Neutrality forum - (net neutrality) |