Americans' freedom to connect to the Internet and roam wherever they choose in cyberspace could be jeopardized by decisions now pending in Washington. Ironically, the threat arises from regulatory proposals aimed at a laudable goal: promoting broadband Internet service.
Several times faster than a dial-up phone connection, broadband is delivered primarily via cable modem or over a phone company's Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). It makes Web surfing more fun and productive, and as more households sign up, its speed and "always-on" capability will drive many innovative online services. In time, it will be the prevailing way to access the Internet.
The Federal Communications Commission is developing a regulatory framework to make broadband more widely available at a lower cost. But the FCC could unintentionally hurt the interests of consumers if it does not retain the rules that have protected freedom to use the Net.
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