Net Neutrality – Advocacy Alert from MetroIBA

What Happened:

The day before Thanksgiving, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Pai publicly shared his plan to dismantle network neutrality protections approved by the FCC in 2015 and affirmed by the federal appeals court in 2016. The new draft order is scheduled to be voted on by the five FCC commissioners on December 14.

Why It Matters:

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) must enable equal access to all legal content and applications regardless of the source and without favoring or blocking specific services or websites. Strong, enforceable rules are critical to the functioning of independent businesses which cannot afford to be relegated to “slow lanes” on the internet.

What You Can Do: 

Here’s one quick and effective way to support net neutrality.

1. On a computer, (not your phone!), go to: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
2. Enter (under “Proceeding”) the numbers: 17-108
3. In comments, say: I support Title 2 oversight of ISPs and I support net neutrality.

*Fill in the form carefully; to combat bots the form is less friendly and very challenging to fill in by phone.

Please do this today, make your voice heard and pass along this information.

To Learn More:

• NYTimes: F.C.C. Plans Net Neutrality Repeal in a Victory for Telecoms
• ALA District Dispatch: Additional background information about Chairman Pai’s plan.
• Net Neutrality II: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Contact info@metroiba.org or 612.404.0268 with questions or comments.