Opinion

Forum: Protecting net neutrality in Connecticut

Theresa Ranciato-Viele Theresa Ranciato-Viele Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Forum: Protecting net neutrality in Connecticut 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Net neutrality is a big deal for Connecticut. What is net neutrality, you might be asking. Simply put, it is the basic principle of the internet that declares Internet Service Providers or ISPs should not control how consumers lawfully use that network and should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network. ISPs must deliver all data equally to us, their customers, and provide a level playing field on the internet. Netflix, the Weather Channel, makeup blogs, and sporting sites are all treated equally with regard to supply and speed of delivery.

The Trump administration made a decision earlier this year to repeal net neutrality. It reversed neutrality requirements, now allowing for paid prioritization, throttling and blocking of information. A consumer may now find that some internet content can now be blocked or slowed down by providers — if you want it or you want it faster, you can be made to pay more for it. It could also mean that if an ISP has a political or religious agenda, material that you might want could be made more difficult to find.

Democratic Sen. Duff brought a net neutrality bill to Connecticut to protect our citizens. Senate Republicans tried to procedurally kill the bill, but it was saved by a single vote, breaking the party line tie. One Republican argument claimed that the bill would inhibit innovation, that the marketplace should dictate where we want to be. Our internet providers have very familiar names — Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, Sprint. They are diverse, but all are ISPs. And all of them have the ability and the inclination to innovate without charging consumers more.

Another argument is that it would ensure lawsuits, and indeed, that will probably happen. California just instituted their own net neutrality law, partially in response to the throttling of a fire department’s data server. The ISP confirmed throttling and informed the fire department that they would have to switch to a new data plan at twice the cost. This is the type of activity that is encouraged by the Republican net neutrality repeal.

It is crucial that our state, Republicans and Democrats alike, be on the side of its citizens, its seniors and its students. Before you vote in November, find out more about net neutrality, and where the candidates stand on this issue.

Theresa Ranciato-Viele is a North Haven resident and the Democratic candidate for state representative for the 87th district.