An Open Letter to Rachel Reeves MP on Net Neutrality

Inspired by Katy Bairstow, I’ve written to my MP, Rachel Reeves, on Net Neutrality. I urge you to join the campaign. It’s easy, quick and it stands for freedom of information.

Here’s my letter.

Dear Ms Reeves,

Please sign Net Neutrality EDM 1036~I am writing to ask you to sign the Net Neutrality EDM 1036 first signed by Tom Watson MP, Julian Huppert MP and Peter Bottomley MP.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=42025

Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, stated last week thatthe UK will allow Internet Service Providers to decide which websites and services can reach theircustomers at what speed.

This change – often called removing “net neutrality” or introducing ”network discrimination” has already led to complaints from companies including the BBC and Skype, an Internet telephonecompany, that their content may be slowed down by Internet Services Providers. ISPs, includingBT, Sky and Virgin, provide TV and phone services which would give them a reason for slowingdown certain Internet services provided by competitors.

The danger is that, allowing ISPs to do what they want, with no checks leaves ISP’s open todiscrimnate based on payment. Imagine going to buy a newspaper, you want to buy a copy of TheIndependent, but because Rupert Murdoch has paid all newsagents, you are free to buy TheTimes immediately… You’ll have to wait if you want to buy The Independent.

Other dangers include loss of innovation on the Internet. New services may not start up if they cannot be guaranteed fair access to UK Internet customers. Removal of net neutrality is anti-entrepreneurial, and anti-democratic. I urge you to fight for net neutrality.

Please sign the EDM, and raise this issue with Ed Vaizey, as the Minister responsible.

Thank you,

Rich Huxley