What are your internet options?
A case for net neutrality
By: Casey Miller
Well, here we are again. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Committee will decide the future of the internet as we know it.
Despite analysis that the net neutrality rules established in 2014 have had no negative impact on their profits, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai believes that net neutrality is an undue burden on broadband companies. He thinks that by establishing strong net neutrality rules, “we decided to abandon successful policies solely because of hypothetical harms and hysterical prophecies of doom.”
We don’t believe these harms are hypothetical. Just before the passing of the current net neutrality regulations, Comcast slowed down Netflix until they agreed to pay for prioritized service. And the former CEO of AT&T is on record declaring his intent to charge for access to customers. There is a reason why network owners have spent so much time and money fighting net neutrality.
In cases like these, Chairman Pai believes that the market can regulate discriminatory practices or they can be brought before the FTC to arbitrate. He thinks that if a customer is not able to access Netflix from one provider, they can simply switch to another ISP. However, this is not a real option if competition does not exist. I looked into how much choice in ISPs there is across the nation, and what’s clear from the map is that it is not equal everywhere.
Explore the map by searching for an address or by clicking on a location within the visible map area. Check out the full version of the map here.
The map only displays ISPs that provide service to consumers (some ISPs only offer service to business consumers) and does not include satellite providers. The ISP data comes from the FCC, and the census block data is provided in the form of shapefiles by the U.S. Census Bureau.
In metro areas, there is a high saturation of internet providers with areas in DC having up to 7 options. However, in more rural parts of the country, many are lucky if they have two options.
Take a look at the map to explore the options in your area.
As we’ve said before, we strongly support a free and open internet. It is what allows us to thrive, create jobs, and build innovative products and services that drive economic activity. Like most startups, we face big competitors. Strong internet protections allow us to compete on the quality of our products, not on our ability to pay internet gatekeepers.
There is still time to voice your opinion on net neutrality. If you believe in the importance of a free and open internet, call your Congress person and ask them to support #TeamInternet.
