Tech Companies Unite for Net Neutrality Activism Today

A consortium of technology companies, many of which depend on speedy and dependable access to their websites, are launching a very public protest today against controversial proposed changes to net neutrality regulations.  The Internet Association and companies ranging from Reddit to Mozilla to Automattic will use rotating “still loading” icons on protest banners to conjure up images of the slow Internet speeds they envision if the FCC does away with existing net neutrality regulations. Clicking on the banners will take users to information about net neutrality.

Several top companies focused on open source are part of the protest.

The tech companies that are protesting are calling themselves Team Internet. They are concerned that broadband service providers are developing business models that create slow lanes and fast lanes on the Internet, and that the FCC will provide its blessing for doing so. Team Internet is worried about the consequences for consumers and for innovation.

You can visit the BattlefortheNet site for much more information.  If you have a website, you can get the code for the Still Loading icons and run it all day on September 10th.You can also provide your comments to the FCC here: http://www.fcc.gov/page/fcc-establishes-new-inbox-open-internet-comments

“We believe in the free and open Internet, with no arbitrary fees or slow lanes for sites that can’t pay,” write the Team Internet members. “If [cable companies] win, the Internet dies.”

Net neutrality rules are essential to preserve a free and open Internet, without daunting barriers to entry.  News will be appearing about the BattlefotheNet cause all day today.