[Chapter-delegates] Should ISOC support Net Neutrality in the U.S.?

[Dave Burstein]

Folks

Wednesday, July 12th is the

INTERNET-WIDE DAY OF ACTION TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY. (Details below.)

The San Francisco Chapter will be playing a role. The New York Chapter will
probably organize an information event, without taking a position. (A key
member disagrees with NN.) Our Indian chapters have played a crucial role
in their national debate.

I have already signed the petition at
https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12/# and urge others to do so.

ISOC hasn't signed and as the *Wall Street Journal* reported until recently
opposed Neutrality. I'm glad we've changed our official position.

*My personal opinion is we aren't ready as an organization to sign
something like this, but I think the chapters and members should make that
decision. *

*Susannah, Joly, Shuli and those who believe this is important - please
speak up, especially to the board. Board members read this list and I hope
we hear from board members.*

Several of our senior policy people in the past have argued against
neutrality or taken a position that would have a similar effect. My take is
it isn't worth tearing the organization apart. What we do on this will have
little impact because so many others are taking a role.

--------------

Beyond NN, I think we should shift ISOC policy work toward where we can
have more impact. We have the $30M subsidy from the .org registrations,
more than any other public advocacy group in the world.

I think we should focus on crucial Internet needs that others are
*not* addressing.
That's why I think we shouldn't put resources in this one, unless we bring
new ideas to the discussion. Others are fighting this one with force.

Instead, ISOC International should focus on international issues that are
not already addressed by those with resources. Just as I think we add
little on NN, our work at ITU changes little. Our primary ITU stand,
keeping governments away from dominance. Our positions here are almost
identical to U.S. State.

The U.S. Government doesn't need ISOC to fight this battle. We made this
clear when the U.S. walked out at the WCIT. Nothing seriously opposed by
the U.S. and allies has passed at the major ITU events since then. It's all
shadowboxing.

I'm on the State Department International Telecommunications Advisory
Committee, and can assure all that the U.S. remains strong in those
positions. Whether we are right or wrong, it's a waste of our limited
resources to jump in if we don't offer anything new.
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Instead, we should be in the forefront of more important but less issues.
My main focus is access and development. These are the three biggest
international issues I hear from the developing world.

The cartel-like prices for Internet transit/backhaul, so high they often
add something like $10 to the monthly price for a  decent connection.
That's a huge factor in keeping costs high. (In the developed world, it's
about $1/month.) ISOC can find this data.

Unreasonable royalties, especially on affordable mobile phones. Carlos Slim
told me cheap cell phones would connect two billion more people and that's
proving out. The requested royalties probably are higher than the complete
manufacturing cost of the phone, although data is limited. ISOC should
research whether this is true.

The large flow of funds from developing countries to a handful of giant
multinationals. Google, Facebook, Uber and others pay almost no taxes in
most countries and hire very few locally. The dollars extracted are in the
billions, growing rapidly.

On human rights, I hope those who understand it better than I do speak up.
We need to have policy that goes beyond "Keep governments away."

The Internet should be for everybody. Let's not be afraid to make it so.

Dave Burstein

JULY 12TH:
​​
INTERNET-WIDE DAY OF ACTION TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY

The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies
control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, they’ll
allow widespread throttling, blocking, censorship, and extra fees. On July
12th, the Internet will come together to stop them.

I have a large online audience, or a friend or employer who does.Explain:
I have reported broadband since 1999 and my newsletter is read by thousands
in policy and the industry.

JOIN THE PROTEST

--
Editor, Fast Net News, WIreless One.news, Net Policy News and DSL Prime
Author with Jennie Bourne  DSL (Wiley) and Web Video: Making It Great,
Getting It Noticed (Peachpit)
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