Existing Laws Already Guarantee Your Open Internet
This is one of the most overlooked points in the Net neutrality debate: Existing laws and regulations ALREADY GUARANTEE an open Internet.
The Communications Act of 1934 (Title 1) gives the federal government power to protect consumers from online discrimination. Amazon is one of the strong corporate supporters of Net neutrality regulation but even its spokesman has agreed that this gives the FCC power to take action if presented with unfair business tactics by broadband providers.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly recognized federal authority to protect consumers’ online rights.
Other protections for Net users include multiple antitrust laws, laws against unfair competition and the FCC’s own “Four Principles” for an open Internet. The first principle is clear: “Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice.”
So consumers already have multiple protections without expensive Net neutrality regulations tying down tomorrow’s Internet in red tape and new legal costs.
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The Communications Act of 1939 has been superseded by both the Telecommunications Act of 1996, The Telecommunications act of 2005 and/or the COPE Act of 2006. Referencing a 70+ year old legislation as protection when it has been amended numerous times.
Initially DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) were under the auspices of 'Common Carrier' legislation which *IS* the original definition of 'Network Neutrality'. However, since the FCC reclassified DSL service from a telecommunication service to an 'Information Service' the protections offered by 'Common Carrier' statues are no longer enforced. Cable internet services have never been classified as 'Common Carrier' and have never enjoyed such protection under the law .
It should be noted that the 'Hands off the Internet' organization is a front group performing astroturfing (that is making a fake grass roots campaign) for major telecom interests who stand to gain the most from network neutrality . Just look where their funding comes from ( http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Hands_Off_the_Internet ) and AT&T is a major contributor to them.