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Oregon Territory

June 23, 2006 — Net Neutrality

part one part two

download links: part one | part two

These days, Internet users can access the smallest blog or the largest corporate entity on the web with no restrictions. The network simply moves the data while the user decides what content they want to access-this is known as "net neutrality".

But large Internet providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon want to change this and start charging content providers to guarantee access to their content. This is known as "net competition."

Supporters of net competition say, "Internet neutrality is really a choice between government controlled socialized Internet and a market driven system." Opponents say, "Without Net Neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms."

Today, we'll examine both sides of this debate and take a look at how this issue could affect your Internet access in the future.

Host: Christy George

Guest: Sen. Ron Wyden; Scott Cleland, chairman of netcompetition.org; and Mary Beth Henry, deputy director of Office of Cable Communications & Franchise Management and Mt. Hood Cable Regulation Commission.

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