Panelists answered the following: Do you support President Obama’s efforts to encourage net neutrality by regulating Internet providers like they are utilities?
Nants Foley: “I am against any regulation of the Internet providers.”
Cesar Flores: “Yes! I believe that everyone should have access to the Internet without having to pay ‘extra’ for ‘premium services’ dictated by the service providers. Free and open Internet in the most powerful nation in the world. It should not always be about the almighty dollar.”
Mary Zanger: “Yes. However, encouragement is not enough when dealing with the big four like Comcast, Verizon, Sprint and T Mobile. These big four have their sights set on profit. The sad fact is that the Big Four could provide high speed easily to everyone. But profit motivates more than service. President Obama needs to treat these providers just like utilities and to impose strict regulations with oversight and controls and with no exemptions for anyone. Net neutrality is the last bastion of democracy.”
Ruth Erickson: “Licensed public utility/service holders must follow government (FCC) regulations but Internet providers don’t have to as they are not a public utility. They don’t use public airwaves like radio stations so they shouldn’t be made neutral and not put under government control.”
