We can't be neutral on network neutrality

[Commentary] Network Neutrality is "what every Internet user takes for granted when they go online," said Ben Scott, policy director for Free Press, a nonprofit advocacy group that focuses on communications issues. "It simply means there are no gatekeepers. Any consumer can access any content without discrimination by the network owner." What he's referring to is a pay-for-play system that would allow network operators -- phone companies, cable companies -- to decide for themselves which online content gets preferential treatment. That's not how things are now. But if the telecom heavyweights have their way, it could be. In effect, the debate over net neutrality -- short for "network neutrality" -- is a debate over whether the companies that own the pipes through which data flow can dictate terms to the websites that originate the data. (Aug 30)