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Net neutrality debate comes to Bush Library in panel discussion [The Eagle, Bryan, Texas](Eagle (Bryan, TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 22--FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai brought the net neutrality debate out of Washington, D.C., and into Texas with a special panel discussion on the hot-button issue Tuesday morning at the Bush Library's Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. Six panelists representing private and public sectors in Texas raised both sides of the broadband regulation issue and fielded questions from Pai, one another and members of the audience, which included those who took part in a pro-net neutrality forum prior to the event. Regardless of which side of the issue panel members stood on, those who took part in the event were pleased the debate came directly to the people. Pai and the panel discussed whether the FCC should regulate Internet service providers' network management practices, and, if so, what those rules should be. The main issue the panel spent the morning discussing is whether the FCC should classify broadband service as a telecommunications service and subject Internet service providers (ISPs) to public utility regulation, known as Title II in the Federal Communications Act of 1934. A belief is that Title II classification would allow the FCC to protect net neutrality by regulating ISPs on paid prioritization in the form of "fast lanes" and "slow lanes." "We got to hear from a panel with a diversity of views and we also got some audience participation and I think the passion that people bring to this issue illustrates that broadband is inextricably intertwined in so many different aspects of our American life," Pai said. "That heightens the importance of what the FCC does in respects to Internet regulation and increases the importance of the FCC getting out of Washington and hearing from folks across the country." Todd O'Boyle, representing Common Cause, a "good government" nonprofit group, said during the rally that he appreciates Pai making the trip to the Brazos Valley. "We are glad that commissioner Pai has taken the conversation outside of Washington, D.C.," he said. "We hope he hears from these folks and the others that have spoken up and we want to see more of that. We want to see the rest of the commission getting out of Washington, D.C., and hearing from the people who have to live with the decisions the FCC is making." O'Boyle said he and the organizations like Media Action Grassroots Network and Free Press who were present and led at least 30 participants at the rally hope to help Americans gain full net neutrality with protections from private sector intrusions into their online lives. "Are we going to maintain an open platform that allows voters to inform themselves, that allows everyday citizens to speak out and allows groups like common cause to organize, or are we going to allow corporate gatekeeper control over the Internet?" he said. "The Internet is the most transformative and opportunity-creating medium of the generation and we want to make sure it stays that way so that everyday people can study up on issues, can speak their minds, organize their friends and families and make change." Panelists included Donna L. Nelson, chairman, Texas Public Utilities Commission, Austin; Edward Henigin, chief technology officer, Data Foundry, Austin; Robert Hunt, vice president, GVTC (Guadalupe Valley Telephone Cooperative), New Braunfels; Chelsea McCullough, executive director, Texans for Economic Progress, Austin; Joe Portman, president and founder, Alamo Broadband Inc., Elmendorf; and Stewart Youngblood, ambassador, Dallas Entrepreneur Center, Dallas. Youngblood was one of the panelists who feared prioritization because it would hamper entrepreneurial spirit and give more power to large corporations who can afford "fast lane" service. "I'm definitely not a fan of government regulation," Youngblood said. "But with the nature of the situation I believe that Title II is the best way to ultimately protect the innovation ecosystem within the United States. My biggest concern is the fast lane slow lane issue. It's a reality and I'm concerned that unless Title II is adopted it will become the standard and it will become legalized." McCullough was one of the panelists who took a different stance. "It's interesting and, to me, encouraging that we're all advocating for the same thing at the end of the day," McCullough said. "We just have different understandings of how to get there. Our understanding is that regulation doesn't spur competition and that's what everyone is asking for: 'How can I get more versions of faster Internet to my home or my office to wherever I am in the world?' Adding government regulation to that isn't the way to make that happen. The way to make that happen is investment in the infrastructure and encouraging private sector companies to invest in the infrastructure." At the end of the discussion, Pai was pleased with the dialogue that was created. "We heard a good balance of views there," he said. "I wanted to make sure that Texas wasn't left off the map when it comes to net neutrality, because there is a lot of great stuff happening here and I wanted to make sure people from across the state could talk about it." ___ (c)2014 The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Visit The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) at www.theeagle.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |