Network Neutrality and Nonprofits
How will impending legislation affect your organization?
As Congress prepares to update the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to address the rapidly changing nature of the Internet and telecommunications, a fierce debate has ignited around an issue known as network neutrality.
Proponents of net neutrality want legal safeguards to prevent phone and cable companies from creating a tiered Internet, whereby content providers that pay a premium get priority access across networks. In particular, these advocates argue that impending legislation — such as the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 — would not protect the democratic nature of the Internet.
Internet service providers and other net neutrality opponents, on the other hand, maintain that neutrality regulation will stifle their efforts to roll out better networking infrastructure and offer higher bandwidth. They believe that an unregulated, competitive market will provide the best course toward improved Internet infrastructure and applications.
Whether you're neutral or not, the outcome of this debate affects anyone who spends time online — not least of all nonprofits that rely on the inexpensive, high-speed power of the Internet to expand their reach and impact.
This toolkit provides information you'll need to know about pending legislation, what it could mean for your organization, and where you can add your voice to the discussion. For further coverage of the net neutrality debate, see Net Neutrality: Additional Resources. What do you think about net neutrality? Weigh in on the issue in our Community forums.
News and Information:
News.Com's Special Coverage of Net Neutrality
CNET News.com's 'Net Neutrality Showdown' features articles, news, and opinions on both sides of the net neutrality debate.
What is "Net Neutrality"?
Michael Krasny hosts this discussion, first aired on March 16, 2006, on public-radio program Forum, on how the cost and accessibility of Internet services may change in the future. Requires Real Audio or Windows Media Player.
Opinions:
Pro–Net Neutrality:
Keep the Internet Neutral, Fair, and Free
In this CNN.com commentary, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark writes about why it's important to keep the Internet a level playing field for everyone.
Net Neutrality Ad
Public Knowledge's online YouTube video presents arguments about why tiered access is not in the interests of the user.
Against Net Neutrality:
Upgrading the 'Creaky' Internet
In this CNN.com commentary, Mike McCurry, Co-Chairman of Hands off the Internet and former press secretary to President Bill Clinton, argues that imposing regulations on the Internet will slow progress.
Save the Internet Ad
Hands Off the Internet's animated video maintains that net neutrality places too much control in the hands of government.
TechSoup's Analysis:
What Will Tiered Internet Access Mean for NPOs?
TechCommons Technology Analyst Henry Kumagi writes about why net neutrality is important for nonprofits and what they stand to lose if legislaton supporting network neutrality is not passed.
Get Involved:
Discuss Net Neutrality in TechSoup's forums
What's your stance on network neutrality? Share your opinion with other nonprofits in TechSoup's forums.
For further coverage of the net neutrality debate, see Net Neutrality: Additional Resources .
