Neutraility

Perhaps you received an e-mail in recent months detailing Congressional plans to add Internet "surcharges." Here's the deal ...

"Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more."

This is the real deal. We're not looking at the e-mail hoax still circulating that Congress plans to enact legislation which charges "postage" on every e-mail you send. And, according to details on Snopes.com, here's why you should care ...

• Surcharges imposed on information providers will ultimately be passed along to end users.
• Charging fees for premium data delivery service will create a tiered system of have and have-not providers, making it difficult or impossible for new businesses, information providers, and other ventures to get a start on the Internet.
• The implementation of a fee system will effectively allow broadband companies, and not users, to determine which sites predominate on the Internet.

You may want to sign the petition.