A free and open society must protect a free and open internet

Today, much of our daily lives revolve around a technology that didn’t exist just a few decades ago – the internet. It has fundamentally transformed the way we stay in touch with loved ones, the way students learn and the way businesses large and small reach customers around the world. That’s why I joined 51 of my Senate colleagues in voting to protect “net neutrality” rules put in place by the Obama Administration in order to preserve a free and open internet.

The purpose of net neutrality rules are simple: ensure every American equal access to the internet by preventing internet providers from slowing down or speeding up internet service to specific websites or types of content. Without these rules, a small group of companies would be free to create fast and slow “lanes” for different websites or different types of content. Essentially, internet providers would be free to charge businesses, or individuals, different prices for the same internet service. By establishing net neutrality rules back in 2015, we helped to ensure that all Americans – not just those who could afford to pay more – had equal access to the internet and all of the opportunities it provides.

Unfortunately, the Trump Administration is working to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules and allow internet providers total control over who has access to the internet, at what speeds, and at what prices.

It shouldn’t be up to internet providers to decide which businesses in Delaware can promote their company in a fast lane or which consumers should be relegated to a slower lane, perhaps because they can’t afford a “premium” service.

The open internet we have shared these past few decades has spurred economic growth, encouraged innovation and facilitated the sharing of ideas. It has given local Delaware businesses the opportunity to access markets the world over and grow into international enterprises. It has opened new doors to information and education to everyone, no matter their means or status. And, it allows each of you greater access to me, my office and all of your elected officials.

Rather than roll back common sense rules and deepen the digital divide in our country, we should be doing more to provide greater access to the millions of American families that still lack access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. A free and open society must safeguard a free and open internet for everyone.

I urge my counterparts in the House of Representatives to join our effort and vote to save the open internet as we did in the Senate this week. By doing so, we will continue to move our society, and our economy, forward, not back.

Today, much of our daily lives revolve around a technology that didn’t exist just a few decades ago – the internet. It has fundamentally transformed the way we stay in touch with loved ones, the way students learn and the way businesses large and small reach customers around the world. That’s why I joined 51 of my Senate colleagues in voting to protect “net neutrality” rules put in place by the Obama Administration in order to preserve a free and open internet.

The purpose of net neutrality rules are simple: ensure every American equal access to the internet by preventing internet providers from slowing down or speeding up internet service to specific websites or types of content. Without these rules, a small group of companies would be free to create fast and slow “lanes” for different websites or different types of content. Essentially, internet providers would be free to charge businesses, or individuals, different prices for the same internet service. By establishing net neutrality rules back in 2015, we helped to ensure that all Americans – not just those who could afford to pay more – had equal access to the internet and all of the opportunities it provides.

Unfortunately, the Trump Administration is working to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules and allow internet providers total control over who has access to the internet, at what speeds, and at what prices.

It shouldn’t be up to internet providers to decide which businesses in Delaware can promote their company in a fast lane or which consumers should be relegated to a slower lane, perhaps because they can’t afford a “premium” service.

The open internet we have shared these past few decades has spurred economic growth, encouraged innovation and facilitated the sharing of ideas. It has given local Delaware businesses the opportunity to access markets the world over and grow into international enterprises. It has opened new doors to information and education to everyone, no matter their means or status. And, it allows each of you greater access to me, my office and all of your elected officials.

Rather than roll back common sense rules and deepen the digital divide in our country, we should be doing more to provide greater access to the millions of American families that still lack access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. A free and open society must safeguard a free and open internet for everyone.

I urge my counterparts in the House of Representatives to join our effort and vote to save the open internet as we did in the Senate this week. By doing so, we will continue to move our society, and our economy, forward, not back.