To the defense of ‘Net neutrality’

Regarding “Phone firms’ TV market bid may skip Congress,” Nov. 28:

“Net neutrality” is about whether we, the consumers, get to choose what we view and what speed of service we purchase, or whether AT&T; Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., etc., get to decide this for us.

Phone companies have to connect all phone calls. Period. If the business owner down the street pays a higher fee, he can get more services, but he can’t purchase a clearer connection or the right to receive calls faster or at the expense of mine.

This was also the law governing the Internet -- Net neutrality -- until August 2005.

As soon as our consumer protections were repealed, AT&T;’s Ed Whitacre began to refer to the Internet as his pipes (they’re not) and to propose a tiered system of access. This sabotages competition, innovation and consumer choice.

It makes sense to rely on federal law to protect Internet freedom, rather than the assurances of companies that are spending millions of dollars to oppose it.

Stephanie Remington

Costa Mesa