Consumer choice in video is within reach in 2006

CONSUMER CHOICE IN VIDEO IS WITHIN REACH IN 2006
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)]
[Commentary] Congress needs to act now to modernize our communications laws. With each passing day, our lack of action to ensure our laws keep up with the rapid march of technology relegates the United States to a position further and further back in the pack of technology leading countries. The Internet has been incredible in its resilience and success despite rapidly changing technology, mostly because the government has stayed out of the business of regulating the Internet. Today, the Internet operates based on private contractual arrangements, free from the greedy paws of government regulators and tax collectors. We should not impose on the Internet a slow-moving, stodgy government regulation that will do real harm to innovation. If we are going to legislate in this area, as some have called for, I believe the key to reaching consensus is keeping a consumer-focused approach in whatever legislative steps we take. The key components of a consumer-centric approach to network neutrality are saying in no uncertain terms what consumers should be able to expect from their online experience, including the freedom to get to any legal website, the use of any application of the customer’s choosing and the freedom to choose a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service from any competitor without having that service blocked or intentionally degraded.
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/061406/ss_ensig...