The American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and EDUCAUSE say the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) passage of its network (net) neutrality order is a first step toward restoring an open Internet. However, the new order does not go far enough to ensure that the public's access to the content and services provided by community anchor institutions will receive the same priority as their access to entertainment and other commercial offerings, the associations said in a joint statement.
While the associations say the FCC's clarification of the word 'consumer' guarantees the rule will apply to libraries and other educational interests, additional provisions sought by the associations are needed to achieve 'true' net neutrality. The order does not hold wireless to the same non-discriminatory standards as wireline access, despite the growing number of libraries and users that utilise wireless technology to access content and information. Additionally, the practice of paid-prioritisation must be banned to protect libraries and educational interests from being charged more to provide the public with the same quality of access to their educational and non-profit content.
The Internet has reportedly become a cornerstone of the educational, research, and computer services that libraries and other anchor institutions offer to students, teachers, and the general public. These institutions rely upon the widespread public availability of an open, affordable Internet to provide equitable access to content and services including distance learning classes, e-government services, licensed databases, job-training videos, medical and scientific research, and many other essential services.
In a recent letter, the associations have thanked U.S. Reps. Doris Matsui, Edward Markey and Anna Eshoo for bringing attention to the needs of community anchor institutions. ALA, ARL, and EDUCAUSE anticipate the FCC's efforts to address these additional concerns and to provide long-term oversight and enforcement of the rule.
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