National Black Chamber of Commerce Concerned HR 5353 ‘Internet Freedom Preservation Act’ Limits Minority Businesses
May 6, 2008 · Print This Article
The National Black Chamber of Commerce expressed their concern over broadband regulations known as “network neutrality” that the House Telecommunications Subcommittee discussed at today’s hearing on H.R. 5353, the “Internet Freedom Preservation Act.”
“Network neutrality regulations will deter broadband providers from investing the billions of dollars in network infrastructure that are necessary to build next generation high-speed broadband networks,” National Black Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Harry Alford said. “These are the high-speed networks that our members’ businesses will need to remain competitive internationally.”
“African-Americans have been amongst the fastest adopters of high-speed access in the last two years. Net neutrality regulations could stop the Internet’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit and drive broadband prices up at a time when minority-owned small businesses and consumers need to see prices drop,” Alford continued.
The National Black Chamber of Commerce believes that the House Energy & Commerce Committee should work to ensure that America has a technology policy in place that will support rapid deployment of high-speed networks and deliver ubiquitous access to broadband.
I’m not buying their argument.
By throttling bandwidth, it would affect broadband customers negatively.
Also, without network neutrality, what would prevent racist companies like AT&T from blocking access to black websites? COX already tried that with Craigslist.
We need to put our foot down and not let corporate America decide who sees what website.