What is this about?

When we log onto the Internet, we take a lot for granted. We assume we'll be able to access any Web site we want, whenever we want, at the fastest speed, whether it's a corporate or mom-and-pop site. We assume that we can use any service we like — watching online video, listening to podcasts, sending instant messages — anytime we choose.

What makes all these assumptions possible is Network Neutrality.

What is Network Neutrality?

Network Neutrality — or "Net Neutrality" for short — is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.

Put simply, Net Neutrality means no discrimination. Net Neutrality prevents Internet providers from speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination.

Net Neutrality is the reason why the Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. It protects the consumer's right to use any equipment, content, application or service on a non-discriminatory basis without interference from the network provider. With Net Neutrality, the network's only job is to move data — not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.

Learn more in Net Neutrality 101.

Who wants to get rid of Net Neutrality?

The nation's largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all.

They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors.

These companies have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of an even playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those from big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.

The big phone and cable companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to gut Net Neutrality, putting the future of the Internet at risk.

What else are the phone and cable companies not telling the truth about?

AT&T and others have funded a massive misinformation campaign, filled with deceptive advertising and "Astroturf" groups like Hands Off the Internet and NetCompetition.org.

Learn how to tell apart the myths from the realities in our report, Network Neutrality: Fact vs. Fiction.

What's at stake if we lose Net Neutrality?

The consequences of a world without Net Neutrality would be devastating. Innovation would be stifled, competition limited, and access to information restricted. Consumer choice and the free market would be sacrificed to the interests of a few corporate executives.

On the Internet, consumers are in ultimate control — deciding between content, applications and services available anywhere, no matter who owns the network. There's no middleman. But without Net Neutrality, the Internet will look more like cable TV. Network owners will decide which channels, content and applications are available; consumers will have to choose from their menu.

The free and open Internet brings with it the revolutionary possibility that any Internet site could have the reach of a TV or radio station. The loss of Net Neutrality would end this unparalleled opportunity for freedom of expression.

The Internet has always been driven by innovation. Web sites and services succeeded or failed on their own merit. Without Net Neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms. The choice we face now is whether we can choose the content and services we want, or whether the broadband barons will choose for us.

What can I do to help?

Sign the SavetheInternet.com petition.

Call your members of Congress today and demand that Net Neutrality be protected.

Encourage groups you're part of to sign the "Internet Freedom Declaration of 2007".

Show your support for Internet freedom on your Web site or blog.

Tell your friends about this crucial issue before it's too late.


Go to http://www.savetheinternet.com/=faq to learn more

darn it crap, fucking ass man... just as I thought US is quite an interesting place, it sucks, my dad discovers that on one of our luggage, the upper zip is super glued, as we did not use the upper storage, we did not see it yesterday. Furthermore, the wheel is bent, I thought at first when I drag/pull the luggage that it was just some rust. Because of this, we checked our other luggage, it’s not too much, just one of it the zipper is missing, again it was the small storage. All this happenings made me recall the way US check it the airport, we had to go through more security than the citizens, they took out all our things in our hand carry bag, and some even chuck it in messily. All this made me change my mind to going US for high school. I think the citizens are friendly, interesting, but the system law there is not fair. Another example of unfairness is the homeless people, they just get money for 3 years without working, and it’s unfair. This may led some of the homeless people to not work, as the salary may be a little higher only, so they chose lazily not to work, I admire those who try to earn some money, those are hardworking ones, I hope they will have better lives in future. About the security check, they should made it equal that everyone have to go through same level of security.

Hi folks, I was away for holiday for the last 2 weeks, I was in US. There’s a couple of things I like in US, the people will smile at you, and it takes just a sentence to make a 1 hour conversation, but sadly we just said goodbye and that’s all, saying ‘see you’ but I doubt can see each other again, hahaz... And there, if you hear nice music, you just dance around, tapping your feet, and nobody will call you siao... Anyway, my journey... :

Day 1 was a very butt-hot day for me... I watched music and lyrics 3 time, lol, I just love the songs. I also watched big mama house 2 too... that’s for the day...

Day 2, We went to Universal Studios, wow, it’s damn cool, especially the waterworks and studio tour. WaterWorks the stunts were so real, like real fighting, no slowing down motion, they are so professional, they slide, climb, fall, jump, hit, it’s like watching a real event. The studio Tour was fantastic too, they showed us some secrets of making movies, and some camera tricks and machine works, I may post up the videos in youtube. The terminator 4D is cool too, there’s a mixture of 3D effects and real actions, unlike the shrek 4D which is only 3D with some water splash, like when the donkey sneeze. But the intro is quite nice too, in fact, all the intros of shows are cool. The house of horror is so so so sooo better than Japan or S’pore, no offense. They used some real people to scare you more, and effects, fake bodies hanging.

Day 3, Oh ya, I forgot to mention, day 2 we visited the walk of fame too, there are many stars with their name printed on the floor. day 3 we went to Disneyland, I prefer Japan’s Disneyland, the Jurassic Park is steeper and higher. The jungle cruise is more realistic. The Thunder Mountain is longer and more fun. The only thing I like about Disneyland Hollywood is the Parade of Dreams and the Firework (dreams comes true), may post up the parade too.

Day 4-6, went factory outlet where the things were cheaper, some even cheaper than S’pore, bought a GAP sweater and Timberland boots, went to see sunset in Grand Canyon. It’s beautiful, really, for nature lover, you’ll like it. Visit the Ethel M Choco Fact and Cactus Garden for 45 mins only after hours of ride, crap...

Day 7, Las Vegas, how I wish I’m 21, my parents don’t really know how to gamble, can’t I teach them, I’m not playing anyway, the staffs are like so kan chiong, the old town also, adults get to get a necklace, and the bitches smile sweetly, I went and took 1, the bitch immediately change expression, so strict and mean.. lol, fake smiles to adults.

Day 8, the main tour went for the 80 bucks Valley of Fire Optional tour, we stayed in Las Vegas and explore it, watching free shows in some hotels, like the volcano eruption, fall of atlantis, siren’s call, lake of dreams and wildlife.

Day 9-14, San Francisco, here I come !! the country where nature awaits, we rode ferry around the bay, see the Golden Gate bridge and the park near to it, the Coit Tower (tallest building), Zoo, houses of Victorians, Chinatown, Japantown, Union Square, City Hall, took the Cable Cars ad Bart (MRT), saw some street break dancing, do some shopping for friends, bought 8 packs of the famous GhirraDelli chocs, postcards... and erm.. that’s for the whole journey...

Daay 15, Home sweet home.. we flew back to S’pore... I felt so hot.. hot.. hot... alama.. in the airport, I saw this man, I smiled to him, but he gave me a fucking eyes like as if I owed him a thousands bucks, then in the plane also I saw this old lady waiting for the toilet, and since I’m not urgent, I let her in first, I smiled to her too, but she step in as if she’s first and got a proud ass face looking up waiting for the bird to shit...