Adam Lynn

Preserve Innovation

Net Neutrality is essential to free speech, equal opportunity and economic innovation in America. Since the FCC removed this basic protection in 2005, the top executives of phone and cable companies have stated their intention to become the Internet's gatekeepers and to discriminate against Web sites that don't pay their added tolls. This is worth highlighting considering the rhetoric that this is a solution in search of a problem. The low barrier to entry provided by the Internet has revolutionized our world and allowed most anyone with a good idea to pursue it with minimal risk and maximum potential. Without Net Neutrality, ISPs will create a new hurdle for any small business, non profit, or political organization. For all the talk in Washington about deregulation and letting the invisible hand work its magic, this is a great chance to preserve it. There is no better way to allow the best ideas and entrepreneurs to win out than to preserve a level playing field, this is exactly what Net Neutrality will do by not giving those with the most capital i.e the incumbents an unfair advantage. Consumers are adopting broadband at a rapid rate, the backbone networks are not clogged, the cable and DSL providers are making plenty. There is no reason to stifle innovation in order to provide the ISPs with a new revenue stream. It is a short sighted policy that will have long term implications. With true high speed Internet which will come from having lots of competing ISPs, Net Neutrality would not be an issue as seen in other Countries. Allowing discrimination is bad policy that would cave to the well entrenched incumbents rather than to do the dirty work and foster new competitors into the broadband market. Please act in the best interest of everyone but the telco and cable companies and preserve Net Neutrality and all the benefits that go along with it. Thank you for asking for public comment and please consider it before making any decisions.