The Federal Communications Commission should continue its “pro-investment, pro-innovation, pro-competition, pro-consumer policies” regarding the Internet by adopting a “third way” approach to broadband Internet regulation recently proposed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, according to a group representing institutional investors.
The Open MIC Blog
The Open MIC Blog
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In an interview, President Obama made his views on net neutrality clear, saying:"I'm a big believer in Net Neutrality." You can view a clip from the interview here on YouTube.
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U.S. Senator Dick Durbin this week sent letters to 30 information and communications technology companies - including Apple, Facebook, Skype and Twitter - seeking information about their human rights practices in China. Durbin also announced plans to hold a follow-up hearing on global internet freedom next month.
In the News...
"With its 'don't be evil' motto, Google would naturally oppose big corporations secretly deciding what you can and can't see on the Internet."
The Daily Show
"Like the rest of the technology world, we're wondering why Google has chosen to ally itself with Verizon, issuing a set of joint net neutrality recommendations that critics charge would significantly weaken the Federal Communications Commission's ability to protect the open Internet. "
ars technica
"The outcome of this negotiation between Godzilla and Shamu may be good for them, but it would destroy the promise of a neutral network. The FCC needs to assert its authority if the chairman's and president's promises are to be kept. "
Susan Crawford and Lawrence Lessig/MercuryNews.com
"Some in Silicon Valley are responding to the Google-Verizon pact on net neutrality, and they aren’t pleased."
The Washington Post
"Most people agree: Google does evil, calls it net neutrality."
Marvin Ammori/Huffington Post
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Want to know what’s happening on key issues of media responsibility from the perspective of investors? Check out the Open MIC blog, where we provide our take on the latest in the news.
Open MIC Investor Coalition Files Shareholder Resolutions with Internet Service Providers on Freedom of Expression and Privacy
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2009-01-27 12:49Members of a coalition of investors have filed shareholder resolutions with 10 publicly-held U.S. providers of Internet access, urging corporate boards to report on the impact of the companies’ Internet network management practices on public expectations of freedom of expression and privacy. The investor coalition includes the New York City Pension Funds and leading socially responsible investment firms Trillium Asset Management Corp., Boston Common Asset Management, Calvert Asset Management Company, Domini Social Investments, Harrington Investments and the As You Sow Foundation.
Corporate Engagement: Freedom of Expresssion and Privacy
Submitted by michael on Wed, 2008-11-26 18:29Open MIC has been working to organize a coalition of shareholders of the publicly-held Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the U.S., with the aim of persuading those companies to report on the profound impact their network management practices can have on public expectations of freedom of expression and privacy. We expect to report soon on our progress. Meanwhile, we’re heartened by two recently-announced independent initiatives that engage companies in public dialogue regarding principles and policies affecting consumer use of the Internet.
Opening Up the White Space
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2008-11-04 19:18The Federal Communications Commission unanimously approved the use of broadband wireless devices in the “white space” radio spectrum that will be freed up when U.S. television broadcasters switch from analog to digital transmission in February 2009. Commission chairman Richard Martin says opening the white spaces "will allow for the creation of a WiFi on steroids. It has the potential to improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet based products and services for consumers."
FCC to Comcast: Cease, Desist, Disclose
Submitted by margoalderton on Mon, 2008-08-04 10:41Over a hundred million Americans have high-speed Internet access. Most of them likely assume that, in return for paying a hefty monthly fee, they can use their Internet service privately, for whatever purpose they want, as long as it’s legal. They’d be wrong.On Friday, for example, a bi-partisan majority of the Federal Communications Commission ordered Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, to stop blocking Internet access for some of its subscribers and "secretly degrading” their service.
Open Platforms: Driving Innovation and Revenue
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2008-06-10 11:25A smaller piece of a much bigger pie. That’s the very simple, but very powerful, thinking behind much of the latest news in wireless communications in the U.S. It’s helping to create a media environment that’s potentially much more open, diverse and innovative – which would be good news for consumers as well as investors in wireless stocks.
The Case for Disclosure - Part 2
Submitted by michael on Fri, 2008-04-25 09:17In an era when customer satisfaction is the recurring mantra of virtually every business guru, Internet Service Providers don’t seem to believe that their customers – as well as investors, regulators and legislators – will pay heed to reports that the companies are not living up to advertised promises of virtually unlimited bandwidth, never mind allegations that they are also messing about with American rights to freedom of expression and freedom of choice.
The Case for Disclosure - Part 1
Submitted by michael on Wed, 2008-04-23 18:31“Wow,” I thought. Here’s the network neutrality debate in microcosm, right in my little corner of the world. And it’s preventing me from watching the New York Yankees opening game. I began to wonder who among my neighbors were the greedy, bandwidth-hungry violators. The elderly lady in 14H? That young couple on the floor above, with the toddler? Maybe that teenager in 11H?
FCC Auction Results: Half Open? Half Closed?
Submitted by michael on Fri, 2008-03-21 17:51This week’s announcement by the Federal Communications Commission of winners in the much-ballyhooed 700MHz radio spectrum auction confirmed that the journey on the path of openness is not – and will not be - a simple one.
FCC Auction: An Early Victory for Open Access?
Submitted by michael on Mon, 2008-02-04 13:07Triggering of the open access provisions is great news: it theoretically means that a wireless provider must provide a mobile Internet where consumers connect with phones and digital assistants of their choice, employing applications they consider important– not just the hardware and controlled service offerings of cell phone providers.
FCC’s 700 MHz Wireless Auction Set to Begin
Submitted by michael on Tue, 2008-01-22 18:41It’s some of the most valuable spectrum ever to be made available to the commercial wireless industry - the communications equivalent of “beachfront property." The auction could tell us a lot about the future direction of wireless in America and just how “open” or “closed” the mobile Internet will be.