Make Your Opinion Known Now

"Be a regulator. Keep President Obama's 2007 PROMISE to protect net neutrality!"
  -- Jaye Albright

That was my comment in response to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's blog post "Finding the Best Path Forward to Protect the Open Internet"

I hope you'll ponder the issue and let the FCC hear your voice as well.

Of course, you don't need to agree with me, but I hope you consider this:

If my worst fears surrounding the so-called "Open Internet" proposed rule making prove to be true, it might be a boon for over-the-air broadcasting as streaming audiences either have to pay more for what we all have access to now or  experience slower connections.  If I am right, it would also slow the pace of the battle for the broadband vehicle dashboard, reinforcing the power of traditional radio, so allowing it to proceed could even be in broadcasters' self-interest, keeping AM-FM the free, fastest way to access audio entertainment long-term.

Innovation and genuine open access challenge all business.  It's natural to want to create barriers to potential competition to enter your segment of consumers and technology, but the common good opens far more opportunity than trying to corner another market.

Business Holiday Gift Recommendation #1

With the news that Clear Channel and Cumulus are cooperating on rumored divestitures and also "I Heart Radio," it's easy to jump to the conclusion that media competition in the radio space is endangered.

However, Tim Wu's sweeping history shows each of the new media of the twentieth century—radio, telephone, television, and film—was born free and open. Each invited unrestricted use and enterprising experiment until some would-be mogul battled his way to total domination.

As the Amazon review notes, "Wu identifies a time-honored pattern in the maneuvers of today’s great information powers: Apple, Google, and an eerily resurgent AT&T. A battle royal looms for the Internet’s future, and with almost every aspect of our lives now dependent on that network, this is one war we dare not tune out."