With net neutrality, freedom through regulation is not an oxymoron

摘要

As previously stated, it is the policy of the United States "to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the Internet... unfettered by Federal or State regulation." Opponents of network neutrality focus on the unfettered-by-regulation language, but what about the fettering of Internet freedoms by corporations? As the recent actions taken by Comcast and other ISPs make clear, only regulation can preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that exists for the Internet. Without it, we can expect emboldened ISPs to commit more violations of network neutrality principles as they test the limits of what they may do to increase profits and marginalize competitors at the expense of their subscribers. The bill currently before Congress contains many positive provisions, but would benefit from greater specificity and stronger enforcement provisions before being passed into law.