Boston takes stand to protect Net Neutrality
Boston and 67 other communities across the United States have taken a stand to protect Net Neutrality.
Sixty-eight mayors and county elected officials signed a letter addressed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The letter opposes a recent proposal from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The proposal, called "Restoring Internet Freedom Draft Order,” would roll back current Net Neutrality protections.
What is Net Neutrality?
Net Neutrality means that all lawful Internet content is treated equally. Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, can’t prioritize one website over another.
Net Neutrality protections prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from interfering with your Internet content.
Current protections prevent corporations from creating "fast lanes." This means one website can't pay to load faster than another. It also means consumers don't have to pay more to access a certain site.
These protections prevent companies from slowing down or blocking competing content and services.
What's at risk?
This November, Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai proposed a plan to roll back these protections. The proposal would also deny cities and states the right to pass their own rules to protect local consumers.
Eliminating these protections would make it voluntary for ISPs not to discriminate online. Without these rules, ISPs cannot be held accountable.
