In a returning guest blog post, Sen. John Kerry asks for your ideas for America’s broadband future. Respond to the Senator by commenting in the thread below. Senator Kerry will circle back to address some of your comments and report on developments in Washington. – TK

By Sen. John Kerry

This may be the only place I don’t feel the need to play up the importance of tomorrow’s Commerce Committee hearing on Net Neutrality.

When I’ve talked to other people – and when I post on other blogs – about this hearing, I always try to grab people’s attention and tell them that, even with the primary tomorrow, we need to keep our eyes on the ball when it comes to Net Neutrality and the future of the Internet.

Guest Blog Post by Sen. John Kerry Join the debate

I know I don’t have to tell all of you at SavetheInternet.com about that.

I know you realize the importance of the government setting the rules so that some traffic is not discriminated against in relation to other traffic. I know you have followed some of the revelations of some activities of the telecom companies that have gone against their previous promises (Comcast’s actions related to BitTorrent got the most attention, but they are far from alone). I know you feel deeply – as I do – how vital this is to our future.

Because – bottom line – our economic and political future is tied up in a free and open Internet, available to all Americans. That involves making sure the content of the Internet flows freely, and it involves expanding broadband to the urban and rural areas that are underserved with our current infrastructure.

In Massachusetts, we have some of the most technologically advanced companies in the world, and we have broad swaths of Western Massachusetts that still have nothing but dial-up service. We have pockets of our largest cities without reliable broadband coverage. This is unacceptable and a danger to our nation’s future prosperity.

We need to set the rules of the road so that it doesn’t take overwhelming public pressure to get movement from corporations on network management issues. We need to give the investment and telecommunications industries clarity on what they can expect going forward.

I’ve seen compelling testimony that Net Neutrality, for example, would have a minimal effect on investment in infrastructure improvements and expansion. There is simply no reason for us to delay any longer in this.

I understand that clogged traffic due to high volume can be a problem – another reason to enact policies to expand infrastructure, by the way – but discriminating against content is not an acceptable network management practice.

You know, some of you may not agree with me on this, but I don’t even really blame the corporations on this. Congress and the federal government must lead the way and set the rules of the game.

And, like I said, I know that you realize the importance of all of this. When I came here last year before one of our hearings and asked for your input, I got some of the best feedback I’ve gotten on any issue.

So, I ask again: what would you like to see discussed in this hearing? And I’ll check back after the hearing to get your impressions on what transpired.

Thanks, John Kerry

This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 12:57 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.-->