Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006
Encyclopedia
The Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 is a bill in the United States House of Representatives
. It is one of several bills on the topic of network neutrality
proposed as part of a major overhaul of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
. The Act is sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. John Conyers
(D-MI), Rep. Rick Boucher
(D-VA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA), Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ), and Rep. Pete Visclosky
(D-IN).
The legislation was approved 20-13 by the House Judiciary committee on May 25, 2006, but was never taken up on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and therefore failed to become law.
to prohibit certain kinds of discrimination by broadband network providers. Specifically, the Act would make it unlawful for any broadband network provider to discriminate against any content, applications, or services, or to refuse to connect to other broadband providers. It would also make it unlawful for any broadband provider to restrict the sending or receiving of lawful conduct, to charge premiums for unrestricted access to lawful content, and to fail to disclose any terms, conditions, or limitations on the service it provides. Additionally, the Act would require any prioritization or enhanced quality of service to certain types of data to apply to all data of that type, regardless of the origin of such data, without imposing a surcharge for the enhanced service.
While there are many arguments for internet freedom, the main one is to lessen the digital divide
. By not discriminating, the internet can be used as a tool for economic growth, civic engagement, and democratic communication. It gives the opportunity for small businesses and low-income citizens to excel without paying additional fees. Another argument is the internet should function parallel to a common American belief: free speech. As of now, the internet is controlled by its consumers and it is driven by innovation; internet freedom will keep it this way. Allowing this freedom will also prevent internet service providers from discriminating against content and competing services that they don’t support or agree with. If we have already bought the devices necessary to access the internet, why should we pay more to use the services that we need?
In the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 it states that the purpose of the act is to promote competition, facilitate trade, and to ensure competitive and non discriminatory access to the internet. In short, this Act is trying to promote net neutrality.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200605/NAT20060519a.html
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. It is one of several bills on the topic of network neutrality
Network neutrality
Network neutrality is a principle that advocates no restrictions by Internet service providers or governments on consumers' access to networks that participate in the Internet...
proposed as part of a major overhaul of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
. The Act is sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. John Conyers
John Conyers
John Conyers, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1965 . He is a member of the Democratic Party...
(D-MI), Rep. Rick Boucher
Rick Boucher
Frederick Carlyle "Rick" Boucher is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
(D-VA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1995. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in San Jose.-Early life, education, and early career:...
(D-CA), Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ), and Rep. Pete Visclosky
Pete Visclosky
Peter John "Pete" Visclosky is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1985. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district lies in Northwest Indiana and includes all of Lake, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties as well as a major portion of Porter County...
(D-IN).
The legislation was approved 20-13 by the House Judiciary committee on May 25, 2006, but was never taken up on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and therefore failed to become law.
Overview
The “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006” proposes a change in the Clayton Antitrust ActClayton Antitrust Act
The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 , was enacted in the United States to add further substance to the U.S. antitrust law regime by seeking to prevent anticompetitive practices in their incipiency. That regime started with the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, the first Federal law outlawing practices...
to prohibit certain kinds of discrimination by broadband network providers. Specifically, the Act would make it unlawful for any broadband network provider to discriminate against any content, applications, or services, or to refuse to connect to other broadband providers. It would also make it unlawful for any broadband provider to restrict the sending or receiving of lawful conduct, to charge premiums for unrestricted access to lawful content, and to fail to disclose any terms, conditions, or limitations on the service it provides. Additionally, the Act would require any prioritization or enhanced quality of service to certain types of data to apply to all data of that type, regardless of the origin of such data, without imposing a surcharge for the enhanced service.
While there are many arguments for internet freedom, the main one is to lessen the digital divide
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
. By not discriminating, the internet can be used as a tool for economic growth, civic engagement, and democratic communication. It gives the opportunity for small businesses and low-income citizens to excel without paying additional fees. Another argument is the internet should function parallel to a common American belief: free speech. As of now, the internet is controlled by its consumers and it is driven by innovation; internet freedom will keep it this way. Allowing this freedom will also prevent internet service providers from discriminating against content and competing services that they don’t support or agree with. If we have already bought the devices necessary to access the internet, why should we pay more to use the services that we need?
In the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 it states that the purpose of the act is to promote competition, facilitate trade, and to ensure competitive and non discriminatory access to the internet. In short, this Act is trying to promote net neutrality.
External links
- Full text of the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006” (pdf)
- WashingtonWatch.com page on H.R. 5417
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200605/NAT20060519a.html